The world is good enough as it is

At the end of July I discussed an essay by Terence Heath about how the current GOP response to the financial mess is fostering hopelessness. I asked the questions, is the GOP doing it intentionally? To what end?

Heath saw my discussion and question and left a comment that I had caught him circling around an idea. It was time to explore it directly. So he has. At least he's started (and, no, Terrence, I'm not muttering with impatience. Take your time and do it right.).

His first of three essays in response looks at the question, "Can we?" The answer to that question is different for conservatives and progressives.

Start with definitions:
Progressive: one who advocates or implements social reform or new, liberal ideas.

Conservative: one who resists change and holds to traditional values and attitudes.

Put it another way, a progressive is one who says, "Yes, we can!" and it was progressives through our national history who cleared the forests, tamed the prairies, built heavier-than-air flying machines, and fought off fascism and communism.

Conservatism says, there will always be poor (even Jesus admitted as much), some children will be left behind, the races will never mix, the Middle East will never be at peace. The subtext is so why bother? You're never going to reach perfection. Note that the conservative knows what is wrong with the world. He just has no intention of fixing any of those issues. In the same way a conservative would not have tamed the prairies or built airplanes.

Expanding the definitions:
A conservative believes in myths that comfort him while perpetuating a world of inequality. The world is good enough as it is. Inequalities are unfortunate. A better world isn't possible.

A progressive believes in a critical-empirical approach to building a world that works for everyone, or at least as many as possible. The world can be made better. Inequalities are an injustice and basic rights should be extended to an ever wider spectrum of people. A better world is possible and we had better get off our lazy butts and make it happen.