As opposed to certainties…
My son (17) is out tonight with his girlfriend and her mom. Wonderful people, liberal as they come. I’ve talked a couple of times with the GF, who has expressed to me a concern that she might offend me if she shared her political views with me. She deems me perhaps a right-wing knuckle-dragger, much given to the taking of umbrage. I am in the military after all – what else might one expect?
I don’t know that I really am all that conservative – I like to think of myself as being more of a libertarian, with a slight conservative bent, but unchained by the orthodoxies of either political camp. I took one of those on line tests a few months back that basically confirmed that, on a four axis chart.
So anyway, my mind wandered on the ride home this afternoon on what format a political discussion with the GF and her mom might take. The great fear of course, is that we’ll get to talking in general terms and pretty quickly it will degenerate into a name calling session. There seems to be so little give and take these days, all of the barricades are manned and the fields in the middle are mined.
Unlike the USENET, where calling someone a Nazi theoretically wins the argument for the other side , it’s somewhat more difficult when face to face to let something like that slide, especially with domestic tranquility at risk. So anyway, I started to mentally categorize my beliefs, for posterity :
I believe that human life is sacred.
I believe that democracy is the worst possible form of government, except for all the others.
I believe that liberals are builders, and conservatives are defenders. I believe that both are important.
I believe that government’s primary functions should be to defend the borders and deliver the mail in a timely fashion. Everything else is pretty much discretionary, open to debate and subject to revision. People don’t really want to be governed, but they need to be. Still, I believe that government is best which governs least.
I believe freedom is more important than equality. If the only way to make things more equal is to reduce freedom, I’m not interested. Human nature being what it is, equality will have to be enforced, while freedom will have to be defended. I’d rather be a defender than an enforcer.
I believe that taxes are a necessary evil. The fact that they are necessary should not obscure the fact that they are evil. You work to provide for your family, and the government asks a share of the bread wrung from the sweat of your brow. Societies have responsibilities, but only because they collectively choose to. There is a social contract in effect: We do owe our less advantaged brothers and sisters the chance to pull themselves up out of the mire. But they owe it to us to take that chance.
I believe that the taxation system is fundamentally coercive: It may be your money, you may have earned it through your labor, but if you don’t pay, eventually a man with a gun will show up at your doorstep and take you away.
I believe in privacy.
I believe in charity.
I believe in virtue.
I believe that charity is a private virtue.
I believe in personal responsibility.
I believe that choices are actions, and that actions have consequences. If you didn’t pick up on this growing up, you weren’t paying attention.
I believe that a market economy offers the best opportunity to live a good life to the most number of people. If you believe differently, I’d like to see your analysis.
I believe that if I choose to work hard in high school to get to a good college, work hard at my career in pursuit of a better life for my family, and save money for my retirement, that shouldn’t make me a piggy bank to plunder for those who didn’t make those choices. If you choose to teach or “help people,” because that’s important to you, you shouldn’t be surprised if the market disfavors those choices in favor of those who actually make tangible things for other folks to buy. That’s what markets do, and ours is a market economy. You should be content instead with the non-remunerative rewards of your chosen field.
I believe that if everyone took responsibility for those people and those things that they can directly impact (family comes to mind, friends and neighbors come next), that the world would be a far better place. Think globally, act family.
I believe it’s time for another beer.
I believe in sin.
I believe that envy is a sin.
I believe some people should be ashamed.
I believe that abortion is a sin. I am not sure it should be a crime, because I know that my beliefs are based on a religious philosophy, and not everyone shares that philosophy. My philosophy does not require them to.
I believe that legislatures should legislate, executives should execute, and judiciaries should interpret.
I believe that what any of the three branches of government usurp the role of one of the others we have in some measure ceased to be that which we were justifiably proud of having been – a glorious experiment in personal liberty by self-government which is not yet demonstrably and finally a success.
I believe that Roe v. Wade was poorly found. I do not think judges should emanate into the penumbra. I find nothing in the Constitution that permits them to do so.
Notwithstanding the preceding, I believe in stare decisis.
I believe that the principal element in “the freedom of choice” should involve choosing to keep one’s knees together. Get that one right, everything else falls into place.
I believe that humanity is not a birthright, but a testable proposition. Notwithstanding my belief that human life is sacred, I believe that society has the right to defend itself against people who commit horrible crimes, and punish them proportionately. I believe that right includes the ultimate sanction. I believe that there are those who look like us that are not of us, who by their acts of inhumanity have proven that they are not human in that fundamental way that separates us from other mammals. I shed no tears when vicious murderers are put down, pour encourager les autres.
I believe that the DH rule spoils the game.
I believe that not all change is progress.
I believe in the law of unintended consequences.
I believe in learning from those who went before: Quo desiderat pacem, para bellum
I believe in passion.
I believe that rational analysis will always win in an argument with passionate beliefs.
I believe that wrestling with pigs is counterproductive. You just get dirty, and the pig enjoys it.
I believe that people of good will may disagree. I believe the other guy often has a point. I think he probably got there through a valid process. I don’t believe that disagreeing with him necessarily makes me a bad person. I believe that anyone who truly believes that it does is not worth arguing with. If you don’t agree, please see preceding belief.
Your blog from Oct 2003 on “beliefs” is perhaps the best I’ve ever read. If more people even believed half of what you do, the US would be a much better place. What survery did you take with the four axis chart? I’d be curious to take it. My beliefs tend to be more libertarian than republican. I’ve had staunch conservatives call me a liberal and vice-versa. I’m definitely not moderate though.
Lex,
Outstanding. I find myself pretty much in your court except for one thing: we consider the act of murder a crime. Abortion takes the life of the most helpless among us. I am in no position to judge anyone in particular, that is the Almighty’s turf but the act itself doesn’t pass muster. Your belief # 1 (and mine) is the bottom line. Each human being, however the circumstances of his or her conception, God has plans for. That by itself makes it sacred. IF I offend anyone here, I ask them if my beliefs are as offensive as, let’s say, an “honor killing” of a 16 year old daughter as discussed in the posting discussing the same subject within the past couple of days. Anyway, Lex, Hats off to you, sir.
Lex, that’s a very coherent and well-integrated set of beliefs by which to live a life.
GreyEagle, thank you for that eloquent statement of the pro-life position.
Thanks Kristen. God bless.
Enjoyed reading your “Beliefs.” It seems that career military (active and retired) share many of the same. In addition, I believe I have the right to choose what I deem sacred; hopefully, the beliefs I embrace embrace the goodness and decency of human nature. I respect the beliefs and choices of others, but I do not have to believe or choose as my neighbor does. I believe God has given me (and everyone) the right to choose the path I follow; that He will not and does not interfere with my choices, but will hold me accountable for them. I do not try to second guess God, for a human to know the will of a god is akin to an aomeba contemplating being human. Ultimately, I am responsible for my life. If I forfeit that responsibility I forfeit my freedom.
People in prisons and on welfare have forfeited their freedom and only have one choice; get with the program or follow the dictates of society.
Freedom is not free and neither is welfare or incarcination! Each has a high price that has to be paid to attain control of one’s future.
Don Hanon
Major, USMCRet
There was a long and deeply stupid diatribe written for this space that I briefly considered allowing past the moderation queue before reconsidering:
No. I will permit and even treasure heterodoxy of informed opinion, but will not willingly invite ogres into my house, nor offer them a platform from whence to spew sophomoric bile – not even for the purpose of rebutting their lunacies in detail.
Life’s too short, and you Mr. Arad are welcome to find your own space to rant about the horrors of the market economy, as well as “self-serving, decontextualized transmogrification of the colonialist zionist propaganda served up by most of our media.”
Perhaps it will even find a market. Who knows?
I came to your space on the recommendation of Elisson ( http://elisson1.blogspot.com/ ) and will return of my own free will and accord.
While I have some very minor differences with a couple of your stated beliefs, you have in a most efficient and effective manner described me and my still evolving system of beliefs. I damn near cried over some of your words, and may yet. For some months now I have been working on such a verbalization of who I am and in what I believe. With your permission, and of course with proper attribution, I may borrow your words and thoughts as the foundation for my own.
Thank you for having the courage to share your ideas.
Well, thank you Winston, for reading and for your kind feedback.
Lex,
Outstanding blog. Found it on another milblog site. I’m a 10-yr Viper guy who’s about to transition to the F-22 with the VA Guard. Also a trade-school grad, but it was the good one.
After schlepping around your site, I’ve reached the inescapable conclusion that you are much too intelligent to be a figher pilot. That said, we (meaning the military collective) profit greatly from your decision to not take your considerable talents elsewhere. Thank you for you service, and Happy St Patrick’s Day!
Now…wasn’t the F-16 the absolute greatest fighter you’ve ever touched?
The answer to that question, my friend, can be found here.
Enjoy flying Raptors. You b*stard
Not in full concurrence, neverless, one of the finest posts I have read. Bravo!!
Not in full concurrence, never the less, one of the finest posts I have read. Bravo!!
Came to your site via Acute Politics, the site of the Teflon Don who is presently serving in Iraq. You were recommended as a “thinking man’s blogger.”
Your post on what you believe certainly established your cred in that area.
I’m an old (74 now) Nazal Radiator. Flew A-1s mostly, but have time in spiffy old birds like T-28s, SNJs, T-34s, and the biggie……C-118s. Served aboard Hancock, Midway, Bonnie Dick, and
the Hornet. Finished my 20 in 1974 and then flew with an airline until retirement in 1993.
Your systematic consideration of what you believe shows that you are indeed a thinker. I have always known what I believed, but never systematically wrote them down as you have.
You have now inspired a project. I plan to follow your lead and write my own beliefs. I also intend to examine in some detail why I believe the things I do. Can’t hurt and may even do me some good.
Anyway, I wanted to say I enjoyed this post and I’ll be dropping by frequently for more mental stimulation.
Lex..after getting directed to you by SJBill, I have spent some time wandering through your excellent site. As an undergrad “political scientist” (oxymoron intended)(qualifies one to read a newspaper–if one can afford that paper)I share most of your beliefs. I too am Libertarian and Conservative leaning. I spent 33 years as a cop after three Navy tours in VN, 63-68, and I’ve found that power WILL ALWAYS BE abused by some who have it. That is true locally or globally. That is also the case socially or politically. The cliche about eternal vigilance comes to mind here. At one time in my life I thought I’d seen it all…now I realize I never even scratched the surface of “it all”. I am awed by the fact that no matter which end of our political continuum you are on, half the country is wrong. I am on the right (right) side and I cringe to see the childish trust our liberal (read progressive) half put into their, appease them, respect their culture and they will like us better, plan. These witless fools do not recognize the human nature described so vividly in Lord of the Flies. I’ve seen familes kill among themselves, mothers kill their own kids, people kill themsevles, and five generations of single mommies in a single bedroom apartment that included a 31 year old grandmother and a 14 year old mother. And today as I read the paper I still find myself amazed at the horrible state of affairs in the world generally, and in this glorious USA specifically. Yet, I see the young people in service to our country who are idealists and they willingly sacrifice to secure freedom for others. I see those who enjoy that freedom and they seem to squander it and not respect it’s source. I think often of the William Holden movie “The Bridges at Toko-ri”. At the end, the ADM stares into the camera after learning of the Holden part, Mr. Brubaker’s death and asks…”where do we get such men—-where do we get such men”. I meet Sailors and Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen regularly, and I wonder that same thing. Thank you for serving–and thank you for this site. BRAVO ZULU. I’d be pleased and honored to buy you a few if you attend Tail Hook ’07…and enjoy some quiet discussion over Scotch (my preferred vice) or a pint of Guinness…(close second). I’ll even see to it that SJBill joins us there–to show off his BROWN shoes.
Very well stated.
I agree with the majority of your position, not all of it, which would likely have meant that I am not one who thinks on his own.
I appreciate your service and candor.
Respectfully…
Sir,
This is the best post that I’ve seen – period!
With admiration and best regards,
Mike
I am with you on many of your beliefs and give you alot of credit for putting it out there for all of us to read. It causes all of us to review what our own beliefs are and what they mean. Being able to put it down on paper as clearly and concisely as you have enables us to review our own. Thank you.
Flavius Vegetius Renatus, wrote in the “De re militari” (390 C.E.): “Qui desiderat pacem, bellum praeparat; nemo provocare ne offendere audet quem intelliget superiorem esse pugnaturem”. (Whosoever desires peace prepares for war; no one provokes, nor dares to offend, those who they know know to be superior in battle.)
A nation of people similarly construed would want for very little and would need little if any government.
Lex,
Brother in pen, sword, and wing, adept at using pen to give wing to words and wings to give flight to sword. I would love to say that I stumbled into this corner of the reading room on my own, but I had to be taken by the hand and led here. I confess that because this comment is more about the reaction of my guide than my self. A brilliant woman pointed out this post to me. Now an OB/GYN in NoVa, she is, quite honestly, the most tenured and most treasured of all my female friends. We met at the Governor’s School of NC in 1976 and the rest is history (too much of it spent estranged). At any rate, she is new to the world of blogs. I drug her into it. And through mine to yours. And since she is not one to comment yet, on her own, I thought I would share with you what she said to me, as it gets no more honest than that.
There is praise. There is the praise of beautiful women. And there is the praise of beautiful women who can think circles around us either one. And though she’s adorably unconscious of it, the writer who sings your praises there is in that last rarefied category. Well earned, friend.
And I shouldn’t need to tell you how I feel about the post myself. “Two!”
I’m very pleased that the both of you liked it. Like anything you feel deeply about, the exercise practically wrote itself. Every once in a while I come back and have another look and find that it still works for me.
Lex,
It’s been awhile since I’ve visited your corner of the blogosphere. It’s good to see you are doing well and I must admit this is the first time I stumbled across this entry. What a thoughtful and insightful piece. I was especially fond of the portion about virtue, privacy, and charity. Keep up the good work!
Lex -
I happened on your BLOG while surfing for some background on CAG Klunder’s appointment as Commandant of Midshipmen. Somewhere in here I was able to determine you are retiring shortly. My congratulations to you and your family on a spectacular career that is seemingly ending too soon.
So what comes next? Having retired myself last fall I can assure you there is a lot of opportunity out there for those smart enough and driven enough to go get it. I am sure that a man of your talents and intelligence already has multiple offers lined up.
Read the section on your beliefs and was blown away. But then again, I was equally blown away by your change of command speech when you left VFA-94. I should have expected nothing less when I clicked on your link.
All the best, sir, to you and your family as you begin the next phase of your life’s journey.
Sprout
pretty much sums up a lot of my beliefs. taught to me by a ww2 vet. thanks for risking your life in those birds to cover the rest of us.
dan
ps: ever read starship troopers. i’ll bet you would like it.
This is very good,plus, you get to learn how to spell beleive.
Seriously, thanks for putting this all down, it is a valuable contribution to these things on the web.
Check six, they ARE out there (especially now)
Fuzz
Just stumbled upon your website, clicked my way to your beliefs, and sighed. A man who has the idea and puts it out there for all to see. Excellent. No surprise that you are fellow a nasal radiator.
With not much variance, you and I are on the same page of beliefs.
Now the big question: As a Hornet Driver, do you profess to be fighter pilot or an attack pilot? No cheating here. I’ve often thought of the quandary I would be in if I made the transition.
Bob
“Strike Fighter” pilot, Bob.
Rather than a “simple” fighter pilot
Thanks for your kind words.