Matthew Taylor wrote:
On Jan 31, 2009, at 12:05 PM, Jordan wrote:
John Emmerling wrote:
Some general observations (I make some assertions without proof,
feel free
to provide contradictory data):
1.) Compared to other western countries, Americans are
significantly more
religious. Religious folk seem to see life's problems as being between
themselves and God, and don't have much use for the government. BTW
I don't
mean this as a criticism.
I don't think it's rational to view life through a "God" lens, or
make decisions based on religious beliefs. The middle east is what
you may get.
Wow - for many people religion = moral code of ethics. What should
inform their decisions?
Either you are moral or you are not. It comes from empathy. There is
even some evidence that there is a genetic element to this.
2.) The US has always embraced small town and rural culture and
disdained urban life.
I don't agree.
Which part? Certainly the US has embraces small town and rural
culture in a big way.
How?
As for disdained urban life, certainly a part of US society does and
has, clearly another part has embraced it.
Rural and small-town people typically depend on themselves,
their family, and their neighbors for survival, and don't have much
use for
the government.
The rural areas of Europe do this to a far greater degree than here.
Citations please.
For starters, watch travel shows.
In other western countries, the urban elite seem to have
more influence, and they look down on country folk as backward. And
urban
existence, with its dependence on a complex infrastructure, depends
heavily
on having an effective government (go visit Mogadishu if you don't
believe
me).
I believe this is more true here.
More true than in Europe with its much higher population density?
The need for a good government can be more important in rural areas
where there is less economic incentive for developing infrastructure.
Again travel shows and reading about communities and social structure in
Europe show a respect for farmers and what they do and how they do it.
The general population in Europe is much more interested in good healthy
food than here.
3.) Americans have come to expect government initiatives to fail. They
consider a career working for the government (except in the areas of
law
enforcement and national security) as a refuge for the incompetent.
Largely
a self-fulfilling prophecy.
The radical right has worked for years to make people believe this.
But it doesn't have to be that way.
I am neither radical right nor left. My experience with government,
both personally and as a contractor to, has not left me with a
positive impression of government.
Then Bush and the boys were successful!
If you want to see documentation of this, read _The Wrecking Crew_ by
Thomas Frank or check out this article about the book:
http://harpers.org/archive/2008/08/0082132
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