I’m a hypocrite…

December 8th, 2008

…let me count the ways:

  1. I call myself a libertarian, cialis canada pharm but I think drug laws, tadalafil clinic free public education, and smoking bans are all good ideas.
  2. I believe people have the right to keep and bear arms, but if I ever had a child living under my roof I wouldn’t keep a gun in my house. (I would rather confront an intruder without the benefit of being armed than come home and find a child lying dead by a gun that I owned.)
  3. I’m an agnostic, but I look for God every single day.
  4. I despise Affirmative Action and think we should all strive to be as colorblind as possible, but I’m still proud that a black man is going to be President of the United States.
  5. I think people should be responsible for themselves and their families, but I contribute to charities and put money in every Salvation Army kettle I can find.

(I can’t think of anymore at the moment, but I’m sure you guys can think of plenty and I reserve the right to add to this list in the future.)

Entry Filed under: Personal

9 Comments Add your own

  • 1. Chris from Racine  |  December 8th, 2008 at 9:09 am

    I don’t think that’s hypocritical…I also strongly believe in the right to bear arms, however I CHOOSE not to own a gun while my child is young. Point being, I want to be able to own a gun if I so choose…
    I also think people should be responsible for themselves, however I also know that there are many in need as a result of extraordinary circumstances, so I have no problem contributing to charities.

  • 2. Nick  |  December 8th, 2008 at 9:34 am

    Chris is right on 2 of course. Numbers 3 & 4 aren’t really hypocritical either.

    And 5 is of course not hypocritical at all either. Choosing where to send your money, instead of the government doing it for you is the essence of libertarianism. Just because Ayn Rand had a problem with charity doesn’t mean all libertarians do.

    Now on number 1… you are a total hypocrit, and I’m going to have to ask you to turn in your membership card and we’re going to have to change the secret handshake again.

  • 3. Nick  |  December 8th, 2008 at 9:37 am

    And if the point wasn’t to say all those apply to Libertarianism… then you’re still not a hypocrit.

    Being responsible for yourself and your family sometimes means that you ask for charity despite your pride. And in order to do that, people have to give when they can to help. Nothing hyporcrital about that.

    And agnostic != atheist. It simply means you aren’t sure what you believe, but you don’t dismiss the possibility of God. That means, that you’re probably searching… which it sounds like you are.

  • 4. Chris from Racine  |  December 8th, 2008 at 9:45 am

    I meant to add what Nick said – I want to be able to decide for myself whether or not to contribute to charities, give to the homeless, etc. What I do with my money should be my choice, not the decision of the government.

  • 5. grumps  |  December 8th, 2008 at 2:20 pm

    What it means is that you are a complex individual, capable of seeing nuances in an issue instead of reducing them to pithy soundbites.

    Mandatory public education is just a society protecting itself. The others may or may not be a necessary intrusion.

    I believe in the right to keep and bear arms to protect one’s home and family. I also believe that that guy over there shouldn’t be packing heat at the Super KMart. Sensible limits are good. Gun issues can be polarizing. Nothing new there.

    That’s the definition of agnostic, I think.

    Acknowledging mistakes of the past and taking compensatory measures is the mark of a mature society. Your opinion on AA has nothing to do with your pride.

    Recognition that each of us is only one or two decisions (not even necessarily bad decisions) away from standing on the other side of the food pantry counter can be sobering. Besides, charity is good for one’s outlook. Even small gifts of time can be meaningful.

    You’re not a hypocrite. You’re human. Celebrate that.

  • 6. Tim  |  December 8th, 2008 at 2:29 pm

    Hey — let’s have a party. Elliot is buying. :)

  • 7. elliot  |  December 8th, 2008 at 2:47 pm

    Thanks guys, but I’m a hypocrite. ;)

  • 8. Chris from Racine  |  December 8th, 2008 at 5:27 pm

    Well then, I guess I am too…

  • 9. elliot  |  December 8th, 2008 at 5:32 pm

    Ahh, Chris, now you make me feel bad. :(

Leave a Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.