In the last post, I was talking about how different parts of myself can’t be compartmentalized. I also mentioned that I was a socialist and an anarchist, but those aren’t separate things. I’m also a pragmatic capitalist. And yes, I made up that term just now. What I mean by it is that I acknowledge that people want to make money. People want to thrive, and I have no problems with that. What I do have a problem with is not making sure that everyone is able to survive.
Look. I take this as a basic requirement for being a part of a society. As a collective, we should do what we can for every individual of said collective. I know this is not something all Americans believe (or even most?), but it’s at the very core of my own beliefs. Which is why I identify as a socialist. But, I also know that people need to be allowed to shine at different levels, which is the pragmatic/capitalistic part of me.
As for the anarchist, one reason I didn’t consider it is because I do believe in a (limited) hierarchy and (limited) government. I truly don’t think we could get any shit done as individuals without anybody in charge/leading. It’s hard enough when it’s just a bunch of friends trying to figure out where to go on a Friday night. If one person doesn’t take the lead, no one is going anywhere.
To me, it seems pretty simple that a society/community has a responsibility to all the members of the community to ensure that they have shelter, food, and an access to healthcare. I have explained before that when it comes to healthcare, I think everyone should have basic coverage. No one should go bankrupt or lose their home because they have to go to the hospital. Everyone should be able to go to the doctor once a year. At the bare minimum.
I don’t think it’s too much to ask, honestly. In America, any time someone wants to grouse about paying for this and that (with taxes), my retort is and will always be, “If we cut a billion dollars from the defense budget, we could cover everything else.” I’ve felt this way for decades, and you cannot dissuade me from this position. We spend the most for defense, no matter how you look at it. $900+ billion, which is three times the amount that China spends. It’s 3.4% of our GDP whereas China’s is 1.7% of their GDP. Russia is third with $109 billion, which is 5.9% of their GDP.
You’re telling me we can’t cut a measly billion dollars from that? I don’t buy it, and I never will. EVER.
Back to anarchy.
I am not a strict anarchist as I’ve mentioned. Honestly, I’m too much of a minority to be one of those. Sad, but true. If no one was in charge, people like me would be the first to go. Not to say we’re not, anyway, but I give us a better chance of surviving with a good government in place. Do I like that? No. Would I prefer not to have a government/hierarchy? Yes.
At the heart of it, though. I’m pragmatic. Even though I’m very idealistic in beliefs, I know that change only comes in agonizingly slow increments. At least on our side. But sometimes, that knowledge butts up against the raging fire I have inside my breast.
I have so much anger at the injustices in the world. I hate the way my country is nosediving and I am massively side-eying what it says about my fellow Americans. The fact that the presidential electtion is this close is causing my fury to rise.
I know that both Obamas said we had to find common ground and really listen to the other side. I greatly respect both of them, and I know that they have advocated taking the high road throughout their political career (and, yes, I included Michelle in that because she had to go through it with Barack). Pardon me for saying so, but it’s easier for them to say that because they are high enough to not be too harmed by the bullshit that will happen if the Dems lose the election.
Also, I get the political reason for saying that, but I simply do not agree. At some point, you have to draw a line and say, “This is where it ends.” And with all the bullshit that the Republicans have been enacting, especially against women and trans people, I’m at the end of my rope with them. I have always railed against the Democrats giving in so much to the Republicans. Compromise only works when both sides compromise.
I think Obama was a great president, but there’s one thing I think he fucked up–not pushing through Merrick Garland as a Supreme Court Justice. It would have changed so many things if that had happened, and I think he could have done it by burning several bridges on his way out. Allowing Trump to appoint two SCJ has done so much harm, I don’t know if our country can ever recover.
It’s funny. People like to say that you get more conservative as you get older. I’m sure that’s true for some people (like my mother), but I’ve only gotten more and more progressive as I’ve aged. I have never been conservative in the political sense, but I did have more conservative (religious) views when I was younger because I was raised in a toxic, sexist, deeply conservative religion.
College opened my eyes to so many things, and now, I’m about as leftist as you can be without going around the bend and becoming far right again.
How does this relate to my neurodiversity? I’m not sure it does. Except I feel like I have the ability to look through the veil to see what is really there. I’ve heard this about neurodiverse people before–that they (we?) look at things as they are and are confused by the fluff. This is why many neurodiverse people have such dififculty with social cues.
I’m tired. I’m done for tohday. More tomorrow.