For My Friends

Of a Conservative Perspective

I just read a column in today’s edition of The Kitsap Sun that compelled me to write to some of my dearest friends who have expressed a desire to stifle progress towards equal rights for those who have an orientation of personal physical tendencies. The column is by Leonard Pitts; and is accessible via the link to the Detroit Free Press’ on line edition, opinion. Other avenues are available via Google; this is the one that seems to be the most direct to this column.

I am always trying to enjoin my fellow citizens in a civil and thoughtful dialog on a number of issues. Many of the issues I am interested are somewhat academic because they are removed from my personal life. I have only an interest in matters of civil rights for various minorities as a caring citizen.

Mr. Pitts’ column should awaken those minds that are not too far asleep to reason that challenges their preconceived notions. I have to interject that I often revisit my long-held ideas and notions to grow in knowledge and wisdom.

Another friend who is serving in the Washington State legislature would probably find this column and its sources interesting because he has shown a very much lively intellectual quest for more knowledge and wisdom. If he reads this he knows who he is. For the rest of you his name is Drew.

For him and any other of my friends who don’t agree with my progressive views I would relish a response.

A Nugget of Truth

Thomas Sowell’s column in today’s Kitsap Sun has 12 points; one of which is sensible. So, as one might pan for gold one can read a column like this and find a truth that, while having some profundity, cries for clarification. The paragraph:

“The real egalitarians are not the people who want to redistribute wealth to the poor, but those who want to extend to the poor the ability to create their own wealth, to lift themselves up, instead of trying to tear others down. Earning respect, including self-respect, is better than being a parasite.”

I would add that corporate America is all about efficiencies at the expense of employing those whose talents are meager; but who deserve a living wage. I wouldn’t do away with incentives to better oneself. Certainly a better material life and/or more leisure to pursue mind improving activities is/are (a) laudable goal(s). If the educational community would quit trying to tie every learning experience to job pursuit and promote bettering students’ minds they might get those who perceive the false hope of riches if you learn more, rather to concentrate on achieving a truly liberal arts curriculum.
Yes, liberal arts have earned a negative connotation by the giggling masses. If you would read (reread) Newman’s “Idea of a University” you might realize a more perfect goal for getting a degree. Follow this link for the complete text.
Oops! I started reading the preface and I find this startling message, “…that Knowledge and Reason are sure ministers to Faith.” Could I, by a careful reading of this treatise, be sucked (uh, I mean drawn) back into the fold?
So, my journey to add to Mr. Sowell’s nugget has taken me far afield. Maybe the simple addition of the concept of making more jobs available should be the supreme goal of corporate America. After all, it was Henry Ford’s wise idea to make his workers’ wages high enough to enable them to purchase the product of their labors that should be the supporting concept that would rationalize that supreme goal. The antithesis of that mindset is Walmart’s keeping workers’ wages low so they can only afford Walmart’s products.