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Why Socialism Just Won't Die - Reasonwww.youtube.com/watch?v=WVU8fS3IJuE
647 sats \ 7 comments \ @kepford 19h Politics_And_Law
An absolutely excellent video from Reason looking at the NYC mayoral race but zooming out of that to look at why Socialism is rising in the US.
Well produced. Short and persuasive. But most importantly it is seeking to explain how we got here. Why is Socialism appealing and why liberal (libertarian) ideas are dying. I would argue on both political sides.
In my circles I see two things. Friends worried about Christian Nationalism and Socialism. None of the people I know are concerned about both. Its one or the other. It is interesting to watch.
@SimpleStacker they don't mention RR Reno but they should have. Really aligns with his book well. Just from a Libertarian view point looking outward. Like, how can Libertarians fix some of the weaknesses that may lead to Socialism having such an appeal.
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11 sats \ 6 replies \ @SimpleStacker 18h
Good video. I believe that libertarians have like socialists also deeply misunderstood human nature.
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41 sats \ 4 replies \ @kepford OP 17h
I agree. Most are on the spectrum so we should not be surprised.
I like what Michael Malice says. Economically conservative and socially awkward.
But seriously, I have always had a problem with the libertine aspects of libertarianism. I do think it is unfair to pin the lure of socialism on libertarians though. There are MANY socially conservative and religious libertarians and anarchists. I would argue that libertarians have been realizing this problem for a while.
Honestly, I see the issue being that the church has retreated from culture and society and allowed the state to fill the role it alone should fill. Caring for the widows and orphans. Caring for the old. Holding the family in high regard. As the church becomes small in the lives of people the state grows.
As a people ceases to believe in God they create their own god. The state. I'm not advocating for "Christian Nationalism". I'm advocating for Jesus and preaching the good news.
To me, the ideals of the non-aggression principle are completely compatible with the teachings of Jesus. When we seek to use the state to make the world right we are choosing violence. There is a place for force but we are FAR to comfortable with it. When we think we can use the state to make a nation Christian we have given up on Jesus.
I do believe we could have a nation which is predominately Christian. It could be very liberal (classical) and socialism would have little appeal.
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72 sats \ 3 replies \ @Bell_curve 12h
I'm curious about your friends who are concerned with Christian Nationalism
first of all, can they define it?
second, are they concerned about a return to Christian Nationalism which presumes we were once a Christian Nationalist country?
Who are the major figures in this movement according to your circle?
I am genuinely curious how the enemy thinks
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0 sats \ 1 reply \ @kepford OP 1h
I have a friend that I've been trying to meet up with that wants to talk about this. Just haven't had the time to make it happen yet.
Honestly, all of these people are good people or I wouldn't call them friends. They are well meaning. They just don't have the knowledge or curiosity to combat the propaganda they are feeding on.
I would say over-socialized and under-informed.
It is easy to imagine boogie men when they are painted for you over and over again. Personally, I have been aware of the political views of Christians my whole life. I don't think its changed that much honestly. The nation has shifted left dramatically in the last 20 years and frankly the right watched it happen and its mostly their fault.
If anything, I'm more concerned about the comfort with violence in society in regards to political disagreement and the lack of a willingness to agree to disagree and leave people alone. It seems that both sides are hell bent on conflict instead of peaceful separation. The US has this cool system of states where you could have a socialist one next to a very libertarian one. You could have a very Christian one next to a secularist humanist one. But nah, we want to lord over each other.
To me, that's the deeper issue. Not Christian Nationalism. Christians are NOT gonna create some theocratic oppressive government. Its laughable to even entertain this idea. What is far more likely is open civil war. We may already be in it.
When the left started going after kids in schools that to me along with Covid was when something snapped in the right. Its not fully the left's fault as it takes two to tango but I blame the left more for pushing to hard. That pendulum is swinging.
I've been talking about and advocating for peaceful separation for about 10 years now to my friends. They laughed at first. They aren't laughing as much these days but they still don't get it. Sadly, I don't think it will happen so I see civil war as very likely.
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @kepford OP 1h
The thing for Christians to be concerned with IMO is not Christian Nationalism. Its the idolatry of politics and the state. What I do see is far to much faith being put in politics instead of Jesus.
I also see a lot of politics being falsely stated as Christian teaching. This can be on right and the left. People can disagree about methods and ways of accomplishing goals and still be brothers in Christ. But politics is so supreme in the eyes of many in the church that it becomes a point of division. Its actually absurd to me. I listen to people talk past each other and claim the other isn't a Christian. No, they aren't a democrat or republican. That's your beef with them.
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @kepford OP 1h
TLDR;
They need to turn off their "news" sources. After I talk to them they generally have calmed down.
first of all, can they define it?
They can't really define it. This is one of the problems and honestly one of the things that make it such a great tool for the left to use.
second, are they concerned about a return to Christian Nationalism which presumes we were once a Christian Nationalist country?
Indeed this is what I usually say to them. Its not hard to see that most people they think are Christian Nationalists really just want to turn back the clock to a time when Christianity was more dominate in culture and therefore more mirrored in governance.
I do not agree that the US was a "Christian Nation" in government but it was a majority Christian culture and there were many things, good things that were instituted because of that.
These people also have some odd fear of nationalism. Never-mind that some of their favorite politicians fro the past were nationalists. Most Americans a few generations ago were nationalists. It just wasn't something people needed to label. It was, just being an American.
This whole deal is just propaganda to get people out to vote against the Republicans. That's what its really about.
Who are the major figures in this movement according to your circle?
They don't know the main figures. I do, but they don't... I think they would say that Kirk was but I disagree. He's just a conservative.
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Bell_curve 12h
Socialists don't believe in human nature because we are blank slates and noble savages who can reach self actualization via enlightened social engineering and technocrats
edit: I could say that socialism is popular in Manhattan because there are too many Jews but I shouldn't say that, I would hate to trigger the 'chosen' people
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