What's Wrong With America?

I was looking into brain studies. Especially the ones that compare conservative brains with liberal ones. In that quest, I noticed that there were quite a bit of studies on Christian brains, but none on atheist brains. Throughout, the major thesis, or perhaps the question to be studied, was, what is it about the brains of religious people, that causes them to believe things, that just aren't so. And so passionately so.

Kind of the crazy thing about our current state of politics, is that the "opinions" of most Trump supporters, are pretty much same "opinions" as Evangelical preachers have been feeding their flocks, ever since Reagan came to power. Ever wonder why so many conservatives think that liberals are communists? They hear about it in church, week after week after week. Same with gays and abortion. It is why so many are always on the same page. It is illegal for churches to openly campaign for one side or the other, but they pass out voter guides that are clearly biased in a somewhat deceptive way.

 

I've never felt one Christian thing about Trump. Christians don't have a fat boss Tweed walkin' round, hey how's your hamburger. All the more relevant, if we think he is going for some sort of Woodrow Wilson kind of figure.

These are Huge questions. Has something Else, unhuman, decided the direction and purpose of humanity, to align yourself with? In a universal struggle?They're not Ending questions.

 

Is there some inherent need for belief wired into the human brain?

I note the religious fervor with which the anti-religion left pursue their causes.

 

Faith is encouraged, it is necessary, for organized religion to succeed. It may be called a virtue, but it is the effective antidote for reason.

More faith = less reason.

So much of what the American electorate believes is false.

 

At first glance your post made no sense to me. Then I reread the post you were responding to and considered the subject matter if the thread.

Are you saying, that what is wrong with America, is that there are people who haven't matured to your standards? In the whole impeachment thing over Trump using hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars in an effort to force the Ukraine government to help Trump in his reelection efforts, and two of Trump's operatives having been caught and arrested for funneling Russian money into Trump's campaign; what has been the response of the Congressional Republicans and the folks at FOX News? A lot of stamping of their feet and saying, it isn't true. Attack the process, attack others. But face facts? Not really.

It is okay. If Trump is impeached, you'll still have Pence to carry out Trump's presidency, and he is sure to follow the same path as Trump was on. Maybe even more so, because Pence is a true believer, lies and all.

 

Nope!

Essentially everyone is born an Atheist and needs to be INDOCTRINATED with religious beliefs.

Can you provide any credible substantiation for these activities aside from those ensuring that We the People have the Secular government our Constitution upholds as our right in the 1st Amendment?

 

Is that ever the understatement of the year? Didn't someone famous say that no one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public?

 

Opposing trump vehemently is the very definition of patriotism.

No, that is a cult. Patriotism is dedication to the principles and values contained in the Constitution. When you take an oath of office or join the military, you swear to protect THE CONSTITUTION, not trump or football or even your neighbor. The Constitution IS America.

Pure drivel. Who opposes vets? I know your criminal in the WH attacks war heroes,.dead or alive, and their parents. So what the hell are you talking about? Trump is anti-vet.

 

I disagree with your definition of patriotism. That is, I much prefer the definition offered by Mark Twain: "Patriotism means supporting your country all the time, and its government only when it deserves it.

Before Trump was POTUS, and since he has become POTUS, the federal government deserves ridicule and shame for its many criminal actions.

 

"Can you provide any credible substantiation for these activities..."

I'm not sure if you're referring to my statement regarding the religious fervor, displayed by the left, or not. If so, one need only look to their fanaticism toward so-called "Global Warming". Anyone who questions the validity of the tenets of this religion are attacked as being non-believers. That is a circular argument that can be repeated indefinitely.

All that one need say is that opposing arguments are invalid because the proponent is a non-believer. - The proponent of the argument is a proven non-believer because he argues against the tenets of the religion. - The argument is invalid because the proponent is a non-believer.

On and on to infinity.

 

Many non believers grew up in households of believers. For some kids, the indoctrination fails to take hold. They then grow up wondering why it is, that everyone around them believes in things that clearly are not so. When one becomes an adult, and has a voice, independent of the oppressive thumb of church and family, especially once one has experienced and embraced the freedom of a liberal lifestyle, it is hard to not harshly criticize that church and family, and the cruelty of their "love".

 

OK.

Is there some inherent need, for belief, which is hard-wired into the human brain? What causes people who reject belief in a God to exhibit religious beliefs in secular issues?

 

Kind of like how atheism is a religion? Or sitting on the couch is an athletic event? It may be that one's beliefs prevent one from accepting information that is contrary to those beliefs. Do you not find it odd that pretty much the only people who reject the idea of global warming tend to be Evangelicals. The same people who deny evolution, oppose abortion, and think that Trump is a great leader, his big brain and all?

 

"Do you not find it odd that pretty much the only people who reject the idea of global warming tend to be Evangelicals."

No, I haven't noticed. I, pretty much, ignore the debates around that issue. It's politicized beyond any possibility for me to judge the validity of either side's arguments.

 

I think that you are mistaken. You are assuming all humans have an innate need for religion. When I was a kid, growing up, when my parents drug me off to church, I found the whole religious experience to be rather pointless, tedious even. I found it to be a waste of time, as I would have been much happier at home, playing with my toys and friends, or out riding my bike, or just sleeping in. I see religion as a cancer to be overcome. Why would I trade one disease for another?

It is often said that the modern conservative movement began in the aftermath of the Scopes Monkey Trial. That was also when behavioral scientists began to study what it was, that led some to believe, as they do.

The most telling has been the brain scans that show conservative and especially the religiously conservative, to process a lot of information in the emotional part of the brain, whereas liberal non believers tend to process more information in a cerebral part of the brain. At birth both parts are balanced, but beginning in infancy, one center or the other comes to dominate. Children as young as four begin to exhibit signs of preference, for one or the other. Although many remain rather balanced.

It is seen in the dynamic that is played out in the interactions between Spock and Dr. McCoy on the original Star Trek.

 

I've yet to say any evidence of anything vaguely resembling such an act that wasn't a fabrication and fantasy of the democrats, which they are desperately trying to sell as reality. The transcript was clear. The president of the Ukraine said it didn't happen. Now WE KNOW that Biden did exactly what they are accusing Trump of- for fact. The same people who accuse Trump so hatefully can't see that, despite the unquestionable evidence. What's happening here is the the dems and left are driving nails into their own political coffin. While it's pathetic and disgusting, it's also self-destructive. Not only insures that the public will find that the left isn't fit to hold office, insuring Trump's re-election in 2020, but most likely will bring about what they fear even more- that the 2024 and future election will follow Trump's lead, and things will never be like they used to be.

I don't know of any voter of either party that has not privately felt that government was a good ol' boys club, full of quid pro quo in many ways, and that is true. These people all talked about someone with the guts to challenge it and change it- an outsider, not already owned by any political party, not owing big political debts or obligations to huge contributors. In other words- Someone like Trump.

Of course, like small children, the left wanted a "reformer" that was totally on their side, to continue the same bullshit (but just for their side) and label it as " just reform."
They failed- and they LOST.
They made fools of themselves in the proicess, and they blame Trump for winning instead of themselves for losing.
It's pitiful- but that's the way it is, and they may as well grow up and get over it.

The nation has business that desperately needs taking care of. Time is a competitor- if you fail to move quickly, you fall behind. The dems have issued more subpoenas than legislation- they don't seem to have a clue about the damage their vendetta is doing to the nation. Not a clue.

My standards are hardly the benchmark for all- they are what I believe is right and just, and you are free to disagree. But even the lowest person who is honest with themselves knows that a double standard is no standard at all- and is worse, it's a sign of great dishonesty, of the lack of honor and the absence of a moral compass. What's wrong with America is that too many of us have lowered ourselves to that level, and too many that haven't are tolerating it.

As you get older, you realize how much of an obligation you have to the future- the future of the nation, and of your own future family. You feel an obligation to leave a legacy they can build on rather than a train wreck that will devastate their lives and burden them so severely that they will never know the freedom that is, or was- America's promise. Anyone who fails to recognize that is, in my opinion- trash. Self-serving, disrespectful to everyone but themselves- and not fit to be called American.

Now anyone can choose what to be- and your standards are evidenced by your actions. What people say are words, requiring only hot air- and often lies. What you do is who you are, and that conveys truth.

 

"You are assuming all humans have an innate need for religion."

Not necessarily. I am asking if there is such an innate need. That appears to be the case.

"Why would I trade one disease for another?"

That is another way to ask my question.

 

I'm finding the whole Trump phenomenon to be rather interesting, from an anthropological point of view. You know, beginning next week, the House of Representatives will release transcripts and have public testimony, that will lay out the case against Trump. Then sometime before their winter break the House will vote to impeach Trump and he will become the third president to be impeached.

It isn't like with Clinton, where House Republicans tried to take down a very popular president, for lying about getting a hummer from a very willing young woman. Where Clinton's popularity rose, and the Republican brand has forever been tarnished.

Trump is most likely guilty of corrupt acts that put our country and its reputation at risk. After Trump is impeached, and especially if the evidence becomes so overwhelmingly damning, and Republican Senators begin to jump ship, the reaction of Trump's most argent supporters should be interesting. If Trump is obviously guilty, how does one justify all the vitriol in the lead up to that conclusion?

 

Such wealth inequality and yet even the poor live much better than those is 3rd world countries.

Wealth inequality is not a bad thing. Why must everyone be on the same economic level? Looks like these 3rd world countries need more wealth inequality to give the poor a better life.

 

He was impeached for lying under oath in his deposition, arranging for false testimony to be submitted by his intern that he was screwing, and obstructing justice, all felonies.

Of nothing. We write our laws down and cite them by code number. You can't even cite the statute that Trump violated, much less produce Courtroom Quality evidence, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Trump violated it.

You are wish-casting.

Dems’ Impeachment Charade a Disaster for Them, Not the American People.

If you watched Trump in Tupelo Friday night, you know the people are with him, just as they were in Dallas and Minneapolis a week or two back. No one ever has had a grass roots response like that. And power belongs to the people.​

The deep state — the instigators of all this, from the fake Russia probe though Kavanaugh and now the risible Ukraine nonsense–made a big mistake in their approach. (And considering they’re in a large part CIA, that’s worrying.) It would have been smarter psychologically to have embraced Trump from the start, rather than try to subvert him. He’s certainly favorably disposed to praise. Then they could have coopted him. But they bollicked up the entire thing and alienated a huge swath of the republic in the process. After 2020, more of the deep staters will be gone. — and they know it (hence the panic). Good for us. Keep up the fight. And, as you know, never give up. Pessimism is a self-fulfilling prophecy.​

You guys are running full speed and face first into a concrete wall, and you can't say that we haven't warned you every step of the way. So giddy up, you are chasing an Electoral ass kicking, you fully deserve it, and it will be delivered, because you folks insisted on it.

 

Let's focus on this one first.

A couple of points:

1. This country was never intended to provide wealth equality. Our founders understood that providing equal opportunity with varying outcomes produced the best results.

2. Most of the super wealthy in our country are self made. Many from very humble beginnings. Even if it is generational, everybody that I know works as hard as they do for family, friends, community, and even strangers in that order. When you tell them to work hard outside of those priorities, don't expect then to.

3. Though our country has inequality in terms of wealth, we are also one of the most innovative countries on the planet.

4. One person being rich didn't make another poor. Nobody is poor because somebody else is rich.

5. 90% of the cost to run the country for everybody is paid for by by the top 25% of earners. You say our tax code is unfair, I agree.

6. Equalizing outcomes is the fastest way to de-incentivize risk, investment, and innovation. Who would do these things anymore if they personally don't reap the benefits?

 

Because some people are incapable of looking at another person and thing "why do they get to be that rich, I think they should be forced to share".

We are in a culture war. It's the individualists verses the collectivists. Nearly everything the progressives left supports is based on a collectivist approach, while most conservatives, like our founders are individualist.

Everything in politics today comes down to this.

 

Why is zero sum fallacies so difficult to understand.

Absolutely wealth is created out of thin air. I'll give you some examples.

1. A man mines his land and extracts gold. He then sells that gold into the market. Wealth is created.

2. A woman cuts down a tree, works the wood, and makes a chair. She then sells that chair on the market. Wealth is created.

3. A company invests in research and creates a pill that solves an ailment. They sell that drug to patients and wealth is created.

4. A farmer plants a crop, and tends to the land. When he harvests that crop and sells it, wealth is created.

5. Some young student desires an internet application that allows his friends to communicate and share updates. It becomes shoo popular, he can make revenue by selling ad space. Wealth is created.


[QUOTE="Lesh, post: 1071102240, member: 69927"
It is a combination of resources and labor. Both are finite.[/quote]

Neither of these are finite. With exception of raw minerals, absolutely crops can be planted, trees can be grown. And as long as people continue to reproduce, labor is not limited.

You also forgot one of the biggest wealth generators. Invention and innovation, which had led to trillions of dollars of wealth growth and has no limit.

[QUOTE="Lesh, post: 1071102240, member: 69927"
First world countries have become wealthy by essentially stealing the resources of third world countries. Been going on for centuries.[/quote]

An absolutely incorrect conclusion that is driven by incorrect falicious summation.

If what you are saying was true, the GDP of the United states would be the same as its founding, only adjusted for inflation.

That simply isn't the case. If you are basing your opinions on a fallacy such as zero sum, we have to address the issue at the source. That simply isn't how it works.

 

yep, just like the Trump mega tax cuts for the corps, a few corps gave their employees a tax cut bonus the first year.... the second year.. Nothing, and that will continue.... no more trickle down... corporate greed

the tax cuts should have been 100% for the middle class and small businesses... not the mega corps

 

"Most likely guilty". That is the case here- it is what the left wants to be true, what would vindicate them and get revenge for them. But it's not evidence in any court in the world- it's speculation from hateful people, and there is absolutely no question about the motivations behind it. You have to be extremely devoid of character to give that kind of action any cred, and the fact they are trying to use that kind of crap makes everything they do and say nothing but partisan BS, lacking in any redeeming value. They have emulated "The boy who cried wolf" story so many times that it's boring as well as bullshit.

The dems may vote to impeach. The senate will kill it. The dems will find they have pissed off most of the nation- some for making a case when they were bound to lose, others because they divide the nation for personal partisan and petty reasons, some because they have put the management of the nation on hold while they became childish whiners, and some because people who are willing to lower themselves to such a ploy are not considered fit for office. Just like all the crap they have thrown at Trump so far- it's come back to be a burden on the future of democrats at every level. THAT is beyond "Tarnish", it's corrosion and permanent damage that's not going to shine up again- ever.