The Hypocrisy of the American Progressive

The interesting thing about civilization is that it necessarily requires civility.

-       ZenDarb

I generally consider myself to be open-minded. In a recent team meeting with my workgroup I asked the question: “What political persuasion do you think I have?” I was shocked by the answers the group offered.

“Definitely a Hillary supporter”

“You like Trump!”

“I know you are a Democrat”

“I think you lean Libertarian”

There was even one person who “knew” how I leaned politically, but switched their guess after the discussion to “Pro-Hillary.”

I didn’t answer the question for them, I just continued to leave the group confused and began to think about the implications of the impromptu discussion. My immediate thought was, ‘I cannot believe they do not know where I stand!’ However, upon further reflection, I think I know what caused their inability to put a jersey on my back:

I genuinely listen to other points of view with respect.

Now, to be sure, I hold strong opinions about certain topics. The holding of strong opinions does not prevent me from considering others’ thoughts as, loathe as I am to admit it, I do not know everything. I think it is the open-mindedness and unwillingness to condemn the other person that enables me to have frank and deep discussions with others regarding sensitive topics like race, religion and politics.

In today’s political conversation, it takes a nano-second for a devolution into name calling. This does nothing but force the ‘opponents’ to dig trenches and refuse to listen. There is an appalling lack of civility in the discussion of ideas.

I am more concerned about the Truth than I am about being right. Others are free to be wrong, I am free to be wrong, however the Truth is what remains regardless of anyone's acceptance of it. As I look out into the political discussion as it exists today and try to objectively consider it, the lack of civility largely comes from one side of the spectrum: The American Progressive.

Now, one would have to be an idiot to say the rightward side of the political spectrum shows no signs of incivility. However, the lion’s share belongs to the left. Here is how a typical discussion flows between the right and left:

-       Left: THIS is how things should be!

-       Right: NO, THIS is how things should be!

-       Left: I can’t believe what Right just said!

-       Right: But it’s true…

-       Left: There you go, Right wants to kill children!

-       Right: It has nothing to do with children…

-       Left: That proves it, Right is racist!

-       Right: What has this got to do with racism?

-       Left: This is disgusting! Not only does Right want to kill children and disenfranchise minorities, but he is stupid as well!

In a short time, the actual topic is no longer discussed as the accusations fly and people are “de-friended.” Civil discussions just do not happen, and it is largely because of the Progressive.

I do not blame the sincerity of the Progressive. I believe that they sincerely believe in their views. The problem is their views oftentimes do not withstand facts. When the facts are presented, rather than re-evaluate their view the discussion is directed toward ad hominem comments.

Wherein lies the hypocrisy then?

It is this: for all their talk about freedom, for all their clamor for equality, for all their demand for tolerance, the American Progressive doesn’t practice what they preach. These ideals are reserved only for those who agree with them. The rate at which discussions turn to name calling has accelerated, it is because the average American Progressive is a hypocrite.