Response to Ondria ("Yes You Can" on Immigration)

Ondria-

I agree, the conservative Right does seem to be hostile towards immigrants. Chris was also right in that the conservative Right seems to be callous towards poor people. This is exactly what I'm trying to get away from. I want the Right to recognize the compassionate stance that is inherent in their ideology. It is the root of their ideology. But it seems they fail to understand it and therefore end up with problems like hating on immigrants and ignoring the plight of the poor because they don't know how else to respond.

The "Yes You Can" and the American Dream ideas are only available to us through the system that has been created. If you allow that system to be undermined or ignored, the American Dream will collapse. This is why illegals can not be allowed to remain here illegally. They have circumvented the system and, in doing so, are creating a lot of instability in that system.

So, how do you maintain the integrity of the system and still show compassion on the illegals? It's a very tough question. But, I think the key is to approach the problem from that fundamental, uniquely American, classical liberal way. The words on the Statue of Liberty, "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free", illustrate this idea of compassion. We want them to come because we believe in their ability to contribute here. We believe in their ability to make a great life here. We believe in the power of the individual. That is the message that we need to send to these immigrants. They need to know that we care.

However, because the power of the individual is only free to manifest itself in a system that protects it from hindrances, such a system must be preserved else their very reason for coming will be compromised. So, along with telling immigrants we care about them, we also have to tell them we care about the system. This is a very difficult thing to do because the two messages appear contradictory, although they actually have the same root, which is that we believe in preserving the freedom of the individual. However, I do think it is possible to convey this message, and if done in the right way, I think many immigrants will be very understanding.

This message needs to be conveyed through words and action. Laws can be written and enforced that help send this type of message. For example, the law passed in Arizona by Rep. Pearce (not my favorite guy, politicians usually aren't) that cracks down on business owners who hire illegal workers can send a great message. This law is great because it doesn't attack immigrants directly. If this law were coupled with the right kinds of diplomatic speeches by talented politicians it could send the message, "Look, Mexicans/immigrants, we don't hate you. But we do have laws and we're willing to enforce them on our own people." Then, when they realize there are no jobs here for them if they are illegal, they go somewhere else and maybe, hopefully, try to come back legally. It's certainly better than the round 'em up, stick 'em in a truck and give them their "one way ticket back to poverty" as they're dropped off in the first random Mexican city that the truck gets to. Not only does the Arizona law have the potential to send a better message, but it's also much more effective at accomplishing it's goal, which is to maintain the integrity of our system.

Now, the other part of sending the "we care about the individual" message is, of course, to reform the immigration system and make it easier for hard working, powerful individuals to enter and be assimilated into America so that they too can partake of the American Dream.

What I'm trying to stress here, is that the Right's desire to rid our country of illegal aliens is motivated by their love for the principles of our country. They love those principles because they love the idea of empowering the individual. They love the "Yes You Can" concept. They need to realize that that is what they care about most. That is what is so important. Once they really see that and see how it applies to the immigration issue, I think they will send the right message through various verbal statements and policy actions. In my experience, people's motives are generally obvious as their actions and words make the motive apparent. If the Right will apply the "Yes You Can" concept to immigration, illegals will feel their compassion.

Response to Chris ("Yes You Can" on Welfare)

Chris-

For the most part I am opposed to Government short-term welfare assistance programs. This is not in any way in opposition to the teachings of the LDS Church. The Church has established its own welfare programs but that does not mean that it advocates a government run welfare program.

I think welfare assistance ought to come from society, not the government. People ought to look to their families, neighbors, friends, churches, clubs, etc. for this type of help. It is not the Government's job. That is not the purpose of government.

Will people do this? Maybe, maybe not. It was done in America during the late 1800's when the super rich people built housing for poor city folk and single moms. There they would provide education and employment assistance to adults. Ultimately, if the government does not fulfill the welfare roll, and the people also refuse to do so, society will fall. I think it's worth the risk. I think people will help those in need. Especially when they live in a system where they've been able to make a great life for themselves. Then the Barack Obamas who have risen from poverty to prosperity and want to help others will look for private ways to do so rather than using government which ultimately fails in its endeavor.

Here again we see the "Yes You Can!" idea come into play. When we create an environment or system in which people feel empowered because their strengths are recognized and they are allowed to grow without hindrance, they tend to recognize the strengths that are inherent in others as well and are often inclined to aid others in the development of said strengths. "Light begets light" (I don't know if that is scripture or I just heard it somewhere or I just made it up, but I think the principle is true.)

Yes You Can!

So, why is the title of this blog "Yes You Can!" ? Well, it's an obvious ploy on Obama's "Yes We Can!" See, the Obama campaign is attempting to make its constituents feel empowered. It's telling them that they can accomplish... well... whatever it is they're trying to accomplish... "change," I guess. What I think is so great about that slogan is the "we." It shows Obama's true colors as a socialist and, more importantly, exposes the great fallacy that the Left understands people and therefore owns compassionate politics.

The Leftist ideals of compassion and caring for the individual are expressed through socialist policies that attempt to help the needy. The problem with this type of help is that it assumes the inability of the needy. With "Yes We Can," Obama is saying, "You can't without me." He's actually telling the needy individual that they are incapable of accomplishing the "American Dream" without his help or the help of the government programs he will create. This, of course, flies in the face of what the "American Dream" is all about. It's about the individual being able to create his/her own opportunities. That's what conservatism (Classical Liberalism) is all about.

Conservatives never wanted to create government programs that aid the individual in accomplishing specific goals (like welfare programs that help a person put food on the table). Instead, conservatism sought to create a political system that did not interfere with the individual's ability to do so alone. This is because conservatism believes in the ability of each individual to accomplish his/her own goals. Conservatism isn't telling people they can't. It's telling people they can! And not with government help, but by themselves. Because it is conservatism that believes in the power of the individual. This needs to be shouted from conservative campaign pulpits and ads. While Obama and Biden are busy telling minorities that they'll give them the help they need, McCain and Palin need to be telling them that they're capable on their own. They need to be up there shouting "Yes You Can! And we're here to ensure that no one takes that away from you. To make sure that no one stands in your way because we believe in you." That's true compassion. It's people empowering other people because they understand their true worth. I think if it were done right, it would be irressisstable to a lot of people (including Oprah).

So that's why the name of the blog is "Yes You Can!" This is about empowering others by helping them understand their own power. It's about reaffirming the American Dream. I don't understand guys like Obama who have lived the American Dream themselves but somehow don't believe others can do it like they did. He has said many times that his story could only have happened in America, and yet all he talks about is changing America. America doesn't need change. At least not in that direction. It needs to hold onto it's firm belief in the power of the individual.

Purpose

Recently I have been thinking about how the political Left has somehow won the monopoly on the "we're the ones who care" market. Many people identify the politics of caring and sympathy with the Left. I read a blog the other day that was talking about authors and why they are almost all very liberal. The blogger explained that to be a good author you have to really love and understand people. And, of course, once you love and understand people, you will be liberal. Well, it makes perfect sense right? Don't the truly sympathetic people in this world always lean to the Left? Aren't the liberal policies always the ones that benefit the poor and the needy? The liberals are the ones who really care about human rights and ensuring minorities get a fair deal, right? I don't think so. I submit that it is the political Right that actually cares for the individual.

So, the purpose of this blog is to defend that position. I think the Right needs to reaffirm its hold on compassion and caring. I will expand on my thoughts in later posts and attempt to tie them into current political events. Please feel free to comment on my posts, especially if you disagree with me, I like it when I am forced to rethink or defend my position. Enjoy!