Fighting words

I'm starting to feel unloved.\nIn the past few weeks I’ve witnessed with growing incredulity a disparate amount of letters to the editor concerning either myself or Chase Cooper, a fellow columnist. Between us, we constitute the lonely minority of conservatives on the editorial board. The problem, however, is that while his columns regularly garner outrage, not a single person has complained about the views I espouse. And when you sum my columns up, this seems odd. In the past I’ve argued that sweatshop labor is not only fair but good, that the oil crisis isn’t going to happen and that charity fashion erodes our moral pillars. If it’s right wing values that people dislike, I should have received death threats by now. \nI don’t know what you want from me. The only difference I can think of between Cooper and myself is that while he declares outright that he is a steadfast Republican, I’ve never mentioned my political bent. It might be easily ascertained from what I write, but apparently that doesn’t matter. \nAnd if that’s what prevents the outrage of the people, I have to say, I’m outraged that you aren’t outraged at me. \nIt seems like what really pisses people off isn’t when you describe your views on national security, foreign policy or economics. Do so piecemeal and they’ll debate with you as a rational human being. But mention which animal serves as your party’s mascot and suddenly you just can’t get along. Maybe we don’t want to participate in politics so much as root for a team in November, when football is dying down but basketball hasn’t quite started up yet. What fun is watching C-SPAN when you don’t have anyone to cheer or boo? \nIf Plannned Parenthood ever raises enough money to buy off Rush Limbaugh, the hot topic at next year’s GOP convention will be the sanctity of a woman’s right to choose. And no one will argue.\nIt’s basically happened already. Our current administration, ostensibly Republican, has expanded government beyond what it was under Clinton and has spent vast amounts of money. These aren’t traditional Republican values, and you’d think that Republicans would notice and be outraged. You’d think Democrats would have less to complain about. But apparently political parties are defined as “Opposing strenuously whatever the other side suggests.” Why scratch your head debating the complexities of the issue when you can simply ascribe good or bad to the party responsible? \nIt might sometimes be difficult or humbling to go back and assemble one’s political philosophy a la carte, but to neglect doing so reduces the nuance of individual opinion to simply another drop in a sea of red or blue. But if that’s the only way you can decide whether you agree or disagree with someone, you shouldn’t bother writing in. The Al Franken show is on once a week and our TV reception comes in just fine.