Liberal Wisdom

On page 129 of Peter Biskind's "Star: How Warren Beatty Seduced America,"Bulworth screenwriter Jeremy Pikser (who also worked on Reds) explains the basis of Beatty's lefty political philosophy.

I not only feel that Beatty's is a wise way of regarding the world, but that it counter-illuminates the core of conservative thinking -- i.e., we're taking care of ourselves, and the hell with those who haven't the smarts, chutzpah or connections to put money on their own kitchen tables. In essence, screw the have-nots.

"Warren's fundamental belief about politics is that the world is a safer and better place for everybody if nobody get shit on too badly," says Pikser. "He doesn't want anybody in the world to be so poor, miserable and so pissed that they want to kill rich people. Because that's bad for him. [He readily admits that this is the point of view of] a rich, selfish, self-interested individual. He realizes that his life is an embarassment of riches, so envy is not a good thing for him."

Boiled down to basics, the troubles we're having with Middle Eastern Islamics are at least partly if not essentially due to (a) conservative politicians' screw-the-have-nots attitude and/or (b) these same people aligning themselves with others in the world who feel the same way. The world would be a far less volatile place if Beatty's philosophy was this country's governmental rule of thumb.

Posted by Jeffrey Wells on January 3, 2010 at 8:42 AM

comment #1

Deathtongue_Groupie Author Profile Page says ...

That's pretty much my problem with most conservatives - that for a group (& party) that loves to rally the troops under a cross, they behave very un Christ-like when it comes to their less fortunate fellow human beings.

Because if Jesus came back today, I suspect he would get labeled a socialist hippie freak and shunned. Because they might call themselves Xtians, but they act more like Romans.

Posted by Deathtongue_Groupie Author Profile Page at January 3, 2010 10:29 AM

comment #2

THE MovieBob Author Profile Page says ...

No one who's spent five minutes with me would ever describe me as "conservative," but in all honesty whenever I stop to consider it my general worldview consistently boils down to good old "survival of the fittest," though more in intellectual than raw meathead-physical terms.

It's not that I'm unsympathetic to people who've been GENUINELY fucked-over by life - that's what government and charity are for and I'm down with that... but MOST of the world's "have nots" generally are so by choice, either individually or by cultural "tradition" (read: societies that refuse to progress because of religious tradition.) In which case... yeah, I feel very little for them.

Posted by THE MovieBob Author Profile Page at January 3, 2010 10:55 AM

comment #3

lazarus Author Profile Page says ...

"Most of the world's 'have nots' generally are so by choice."

Interesting. Aren't "most" of these people born into poverty in Africa and Asia? Doesn't sound like a choice to me.

It's always entertaining to hear descriptions of intolerance that are intended to appear level-headed.

Posted by lazarus Author Profile Page at January 3, 2010 11:06 AM

comment #4

Hollis Mulwray Author Profile Page says ...

Warren's philosophy doesn't explain the more than well-to-do Islamic terrorists like Umar the underwear bomber. Umar is not the exception, but more the rule. Look at the well-educated,moneyed pedigree of the 9/11 hijackers, Osama is the son of a billionaire. All crime in this country is down dramatically-in one of the worst economic climates of all time.Some things cannot be explained so simply.......

Posted by Hollis Mulwray Author Profile Page at January 3, 2010 11:24 AM

comment #5

Todd Author Profile Page says ...

I'll fall back on what I've been saying all my life, that is all religions are inherently evil.

Posted by Todd Author Profile Page at January 3, 2010 11:33 AM

comment #6

tblues12 Author Profile Page says ...

If we're supposed to be caring more about the have-nots, specifically those suffering under theocracies, isn't this an argument for more foreign intervention rather than less? Is the argument here that we should be more aggressive against the oppressors (Ahmadinejad, Hussein, etc)? I would actually argue in favor of this view but I don't think Wells would and I don't see how you can claim to be helping the have-nots by arguing against a military presence in the Arab world. Obviously sanctions and resolutions don't do a damn thing so don't start with that shit. Of course, if the people themselves are rebelling (like in Iran right now), there may be no need for us to get involved.

Posted by tblues12 Author Profile Page at January 3, 2010 2:09 PM

comment #7

Josh Massey Author Profile Page says ...

"That's pretty much my problem with most conservatives - that for a group (& party) that loves to rally the troops under a cross, they behave very un Christ-like when it comes to their less fortunate fellow human beings."

God, what unadulterated bullshit. Conservatives are far more giving of their own money than liberals, according to practically every study you can find. What we hate is having a corrupt government giving out our money for us, instead of letting individuals choose who and how they help others.

Posted by Josh Massey Author Profile Page at January 3, 2010 2:19 PM

comment #8

SaveFarris Author Profile Page says ...

If only the Middle East had some sort of product they could export for money. Then maybe they wouldn't be so "poor and miserable"...

Posted by SaveFarris Author Profile Page at January 3, 2010 3:41 PM

comment #9

THE MovieBob Author Profile Page says ...

lazarus -

Being born into poverty isn't a choice. STAYING THERE is. Plenty of people are born into poverty every day who won't be there forever because they have the drive to get out of it. Will it be difficult? Yes. More difficult than it's been for me? Yes again. But just because "I choose not to do this" comes with a qualifier of "because it'll be really, really hard" doesn't make it any less of a choice.

The only things I'm intolerant of are weakness and ignorance, I don't care what sort of economic circumstances are behind it.

Posted by THE MovieBob Author Profile Page at January 3, 2010 3:46 PM

comment #10

BadHatHarry Author Profile Page says ...

As long as you're talking about "Liberal Wisdom," maybe it's worth considering the wisdom of using a non-word like "Islamics." I was already pretty certain you have no idea what you're talking about when it comes to the Middle East. Now there's no doubt.

Posted by BadHatHarry Author Profile Page at January 3, 2010 5:36 PM

comment #11

Bob Violence Author Profile Page says ...

Being born into poverty isn't a choice. STAYING THERE is.

Kill yourself

Posted by Bob Violence Author Profile Page at January 4, 2010 4:38 AM

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