A Little Less Hypocrisy Please
As the debate on health care reform heats up, a familiar tactic is once again at the forefront. Rather than taking a principled stance against an opponent’s arguments and countering with reason and logic, an attempt is made to marginalize them by accusing them of being kooks, racists, hate mongers or pawns of the special interests.
So it’s a bit amusing to watch republicans/conservatives getting all apoplectic over being labeled in this way as they voice their opposition to the Democrats’ proposals. “Unfair!” they claim, “We’re not all shills for the insurance lobby and big pharma. We don’t oppose the President simply because he’s a Democrat and we want him to fail. We have real, valid concerns that need to be heard”. And in all fairness, their outrage at the Left’s tactics are generally valid. Being the target of demagoguery is never a fun position to be in.
Yet I do love irony… and this situation certainly qualifies. Aren’t these the same people who used these very same tactics against those that opposed the Iraq war, or the Patriot Act, or various other abuses of power by the Bush administration? False claims of anti-Americanism and unpatriotic behavior came fast and loose. They told disenters to shut up and support the President’s policies. They accused them of “giving aid and comfort to the enemy”. And now the shoe is on the other foot. And these folks don’t like it very much. Though I doubt they can see their own hypocrisy. Hypocrites rarely can.
But let’s not let the other players in this political battle off too easy. The democrats/liberals are just as bad. They certainly felt it unfair to be falsely labeled as unpatriotic for questioning the deeds of the Bush White House, yet they seem to have no problem demonizing their opponents this time around. For example, last week on “Hardball,” Chris Matthews painted town hall protesters as racist by opining, “I think some of the people are upset because we have a black president.” One universal truth about hypocrisy is that it’s not the domain of any one group.
So if, let’s say, you’re considering boycotting Whole Foods because you didn’t like the CEO, John Mackey, giving his honest opinion about the best way to reform our health care system, if you think he betrayed his customers because he doesn’t support the Democrats’ plan, try to remember how the Dixie Chicks were treated when they spoke out against George Bush. Try to remember how they were vilified and their concerts boycotted simply because they dared to publicly express their opinion. Try not to be a hypocrite too.
And if you were one of those people who criticized the Dixie Chicks as un-American or felt that those opposed to GW Bush and his policies were just a bunch of left wing wackos, try to remember how it feels to be derided and marginalized simply because you don’t agree with those in power. Try not to be a hypocrite the next time you’re tempted to do the same.
So to anyone who engages in this type of behavior, but then complains when it’s done to them, let me simply say this — a little less hypocrisy, please.
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by David Boaz or 
by David Bergland, both excellent books on libertarian thought.
Comment by Pavel Moarte | August 30th, 2009
The Dixie Chicks weren’t selling anything or commenting on public policy. They weren’t trying to undermine a health care system that might save the lives of millions of uninsured people. They were embarrassed that their “president” was from their home state.
Bad analogy.
The hypocrisy here is with those who would pretend to be kind and caring people yet promote a culture of “libertarianism”. That misguided Ron Paul/Ayn Randian culture allows people to starve to death or get sick or get thrown out of their homes…and where no one gives a damn.
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Aalto Alborg Reply:
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:21 am
You are exactly what the article talks about…and you dont even get it how funny is that, how funny are you…just like President Carter denying he called Joe wilson a racist
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Comment by freedomminute | August 30th, 2009
The Dixie Chicks were selling something, they were selling their shows and their music. And they were commenting on public policy, they were commenting on their opposition to Bush’s policies, specifically Iraq. So I think the analogy does hold.
As for the second part of your comment, I think you are being unfair when you suggest that those who believe that libertarianism leads to the best possible society are somehow “pretending” to care about other people. Do you know what is in their hearts? You can disagree with someone’s approach to governance, but it’s the height of hubris to suggest that you know that they really don’t care or are being dishonest.
Finally, you make some pretty bold claims that libertarianism leads to people starving or getting thrown out of their homes. Would you care to give some concrete examples? I would suggest you really don’t know much about libertarian philosophy or you wouldn’t make such ridiculous claims.
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