Personal Issue: am I the only one who

[Why Syzygy]

knows so few people who actually take responsibility for their actions / thoughts / behaviors?

That runs rampant among the religious right.

A given.

But, even in day to day dealings even with those who think they understand the liberal agenda?

Okay. Suggest I need therapy or whatever.. is this my imagination?

[imenja]

1. it's not just the right

It's a cultural trait of our society at large. To be honest, I see no difference between conservatives and liberals in terms of their tendency toward honesty, responsibility, or decency.
In public life, conservatives display a greater degree of dishonesty and failure to take responsibility, but that may be because they hold the power. On a personal level, in terms of people one meets in the course of daily activities, there are conservatives and liberals alike who behave reprehensibly.

[Why Syzygy]

4. That's what I was afraid of

Imagine what a world . if we all took responsibility for ourselves.

Negotiation .. a lost art, especially in this time of the non-negotiators .. forgiveness .. take the consequences.

I don't know what it is. But it is really starting to bug me.

I'll take responsibility for that.

[Tux]

2. It's our cultural flaw

A lot of Americans rather blame others than admit a mistake. I noticed it started in the 90's. I blame the parent groups that wanted V-chips, TV ratings, and still complain about TV and other media influencing their child without actually raising the child themselves.

Or it could be old fashioned decadence.

[PowerToThePeople]

3. confused..

what is your meaning? It seams like you want a comma or semi-colon in there somewhere. (I have been drinking.) Are you sayng the rampant right knows so few pwople take resposnibility, or that that rampant right does not take responsibitily?

hehe-not editted for spelling...

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

5. At one time, honor meant something

in this country. A man's word was his bond. It seems now that all that matters is material possessions, not how you acquired them or what you will do to obtain more.

Responsibility is a difficult practice. Imagine looking at not just the repercussions from your actions, but their repercussions up to the seventh generation, as the Iroquois did! Maybe we need to get back to these values.

[Why Syzygy]

6. That's probably a large part of it ..

I deal with people on a regular basis who say things they don't have any intention of following through.

Does "Survivor's Island" represent "real life".
It would seem so.

I think the change began with automated answering devices.
Do you feel the same frustration I do when calling the bank, tech support, utility companies, etc. and just want the priviledge of talking to a live person? No one answers the phone. "Listen to your menu options". I didn't want a menu. Just want someone to help me with a current issue.

Then there's "Cooperation Theory":

http://www-personal.umich.edu/~axe/

"Cooperate or defect."

What is the Game of Life?
by Paul Callahan The Game of Life (or simply Life) is not a game in the conventional sense. There are no players, and no winning or losing. Once the "pieces" are placed in the starting position, the rules determine everything that happens later. Nevertheless, Life is full of surprises! In most cases, it is impossible to look at a starting position (or pattern) and see what will happen in the future. The only way to find out is to follow the rules of the game.
http://www.math.com/students/wonders/life/life.html

The social sciences seek to understand not only how individuals behave but also how the interaction of many individuals leads to large-scale outcomes. Understanding a political or economic system requires more than an understanding of the individuals that comprise the system. It also requires understanding how the individuals interact with each other, and how the results can be more than the sum of the parts.
http://www.econ.iastate.edu/tesfatsi/abmread.htm

[Why Syzygy]

7. And then there's the art of manipulation

Maybe it was a phase . I thought.. NO! I'm too honorable to inflict manipulation.

Well.. let's examine current events.

Who is the president of the most (some say) 'powerful' nation on the planet? Master manipulator.

m'kay.. so what I take from this is that I (and the DEMS) might want to ask themselves, "does manipulation pay off?"
Is that where the power lies?

Honestly, I do not give one damn about what we need to do to wrest power from these ne're do-wells.
Let's get back on track and let the chips fall.

A lot of us need a big portion of therapy about now.
Unfortunately, that is not going to solve the global issue we are facing.