I believe tribalism based on shared values, versus "goals "per se, is the key. Goals may change over time, but values should be enduring. And this is what makes our constitution an enduring document, as it enshrines human values of individual liberty first and foremost. The American tribe has frequently disagreed over goals, but our shared values have largely held us together in broad agreement, until recently. I don't believe progressives today share the values we do, as evidenced by a wanton disregard for the constitution as written and historically understood.
In 2023, I have become estranged from all but one of my friends from the sixties. Surprisingly, most of the survivors have become victims of Mass Formation Psychosis. These remnants of the Peace/Love generation have become robotic slaves of the Biden administration and, like many self-proclaimed Republicans (Cheney, Crenshaw, Graham, et al) want nothing more than war with Russia. I discover that I am isolated with only my wife and my dogs for companions.
I recall a Vonnegut book called SLAPSTICK (or LONESOME NO MORE) where people were assigned "families" and that bonds of trust, faith, and beliefs eventually developed.
I still don't get our generation going from not trusting authority to being enslaved to it. I keep thinking it's those who became the authority, and enjoy the power, but that's only a select few. And how do standards change this much, for those who were conservative to become leftists? I see that too often, too. Makes me wonder if some of them ever had standards.
I would assert that tribalism can be a good, but that it can be an evil as demonstrated by the progressives of today. Michael, you said as much but then asserted that it is good. I don't think there is a wide generality here.
That's the question, isn't it? To what goals is tribalism directed? That's why I narrowed the goals to those in the Constitution and nothing else. I don't think there is a single right answer, but I do believe it can be a "good" if used as I defined it.
I believe tribalism based on shared values, versus "goals "per se, is the key. Goals may change over time, but values should be enduring. And this is what makes our constitution an enduring document, as it enshrines human values of individual liberty first and foremost. The American tribe has frequently disagreed over goals, but our shared values have largely held us together in broad agreement, until recently. I don't believe progressives today share the values we do, as evidenced by a wanton disregard for the constitution as written and historically understood.
In 2023, I have become estranged from all but one of my friends from the sixties. Surprisingly, most of the survivors have become victims of Mass Formation Psychosis. These remnants of the Peace/Love generation have become robotic slaves of the Biden administration and, like many self-proclaimed Republicans (Cheney, Crenshaw, Graham, et al) want nothing more than war with Russia. I discover that I am isolated with only my wife and my dogs for companions.
I recall a Vonnegut book called SLAPSTICK (or LONESOME NO MORE) where people were assigned "families" and that bonds of trust, faith, and beliefs eventually developed.
It sounds like Heaven to me.
I still don't get our generation going from not trusting authority to being enslaved to it. I keep thinking it's those who became the authority, and enjoy the power, but that's only a select few. And how do standards change this much, for those who were conservative to become leftists? I see that too often, too. Makes me wonder if some of them ever had standards.
I would assert that tribalism can be a good, but that it can be an evil as demonstrated by the progressives of today. Michael, you said as much but then asserted that it is good. I don't think there is a wide generality here.
That's the question, isn't it? To what goals is tribalism directed? That's why I narrowed the goals to those in the Constitution and nothing else. I don't think there is a single right answer, but I do believe it can be a "good" if used as I defined it.
You and I are in agreement. Can be good works. Is good (IMO) doesn't.