Today, once again, a room full of liberals pondered over the oddest thing… why do conservatives vote against their interests? Of course, when they say “interests” they actually mean “economic self-interest.” (Do they use the vague terminology to imply these individuals are crazy on more than one dimension? Is this a Freudian slip?) In any case, they are referring to all of the Republicans, rich and poor alike, that benefit or have benefited from government assistance, but suggest that government budgets and programs should be cut. Apparently, Michele Bachman’s counseling center received government grants and her husband’s family’s farm benefited from federal subsidies.
What is interesting in these liberal conversations is that one never points out how rich liberals vote against their personal economic interests. They never insinuate, “Wow, Warren Buffet must be crazy. He wants the government to tax him!” So there is a double standard – conservatives are supposed to act in economic self-interest, especially poor ones. But, liberals need do no such thing. Presumably, the reason liberals need do no such thing is because they are being generous to these low-income conservatives. They value equality more than they value economic self-interest and believe this equality is achieved through government programs providing assistance or education. Or, alternatively, they value progressive social values and are willing compromise on fiscal issues.
What they fail to realize, however, is that perhaps conservatives, even low-income ones, have values that also outweigh their economic self-interest. These values may be tied up in the abortion issue, some technical disagreement about what will best spur the economy, or a belief in self-reliance and responsibility over and above economic equality. While liberals may disagree with these values, many of them have a sound philosophical or intellectual basis and can not be dismissed as simply "misplaced." Whatever the cause, it seems to me people are entitled to, and perhaps should be encouraged to value certain things above their own economic interests. Indeed, liberals pat themselves on the back for doing so.
So the question remains as to why liberals find this behavior so baffling. I can provide but one answer. Liberals who are often wealthier than their conservative counterparts are actually very concerned about their own economic welfare. They pride themselves in their economic success. They indulge at Farmer’s Markets and stores like Whole Foods while most Americans are grateful for WalMart. They buy hybrid cars off the lot, receive subsidies for them, and pride themselves for being environmental champions – and they're wealthy enough to do so. So liberals can’t imagine how someone might not act first in economic self-interest - many have been doing so all their lives and once secure begin to give back.
I see no problem with giving back, and I'm glad people do. I just challenge people to put themselves in others shoes. When people have less material wealth, sometimes their values are their most treasured possessions. For them to hold onto those values, to champion them, to accept them before concern for their own material well-being is a beautiful thing. As liberals it is not our job to eviscerate them, and it is too easy to assume they're ignorant or illogical. Rather, if we seek tolerance, our first approach ought to be tolerating others, learning what they're about and reaching out for common ground. - Rachel
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