The Golden Rule.....Why do we discard it?

I think some ignore it, while others try to practice it on a daily basis. Me thinks the ones that practice the golden rule are often trampled by those who practice the other "golden rule"...he who has the gold makes the rules. It's not right, but it's humanity.

I think maybe it is a complicated philosophy and few know how to apply it to government and their lives.

Actually, MJ, some of us have been up in arms about it for quite some time. See, there was this guy named Ronald Reagan that felt the US being the pre-eminenet military power was the best thing to do for our nation. There were a lot of people that fell for this, and went along like lemmings. See, this Reagan guy decided that deficits didn't matter and that as long as he spent as much money as he could on defense that nobody would care. Then he told us about "welfare queens" and that poor people were the problem in our country (then crack came, ask Paul about the conspiracy there). The golden rule we should follow, doesn't exist for the power hungry. They will do unto others how they please. Damn the rest of us, as long as they get as much stuff as they can. Then there's the rest of us that take care of our fellow man, even if it's difficult for us to do so, because we think it's the right thing to do. Now, tell me I'm brainwashed. I'm 35 years old and have been fighting the good fight for as long as I can remember. Yes, I'm a "bleeding heart" liberal and proud of it.

One more thing, practicing the golden rule applies to all people. Not just the ones outside of our borders.

You miss the point all together, MJ. Were we to follow the golden rule, there would be no need for taxation. Understand? I take care of my fellow man and give, both monitarily and my time, to help those who are less fortunate. I do not ask for anything in return. I don't claim charitable donations on my tax return. Am I making myself clear or no?

It's funny Marshall that you should post and support the 'golden rule' ...

except when you actually have to practice it.

Your a Libertarian right ?

each man for himself thinking . that isn't the golden rule.

love others as you love yourself. The golden rule also implies caring for others in ways you don't wish too. Like caring for the poor , the sick. Treat people equally.

Libertarianism: It's all about "Me," not "We."

If it was up to libertarians, none of the United State's great achievements in social and economic justice would have happened. There would be no civil rights laws, no environmental laws, no labor rights and wage laws. Restaurants could turn away black people, firms could refuse to hire women, factories could dump their toxic waste in rivers, your boss could make you work seven days a week, 10 hours a day, for $1/hour, dogfights would be legal, and so on. Their remedies would be along the lines of, "Black people and their supporters can eat elsewhere." "Women could start their own businesses," "Local communities could sue the polluters," "If you don't like slave labor, just quit," and "If two men own dogs and want to fight them, their property rights must be respected."

The libertarians I've met in person, and the public ones such as Matt Stone & Trey Parker, or ( Ron ) & Rand Paul, are generally affluent white men. Their philosophy is, "I got mine, Jack, too bad about you." Ultimately, their guiding principle is selfishness.

Lastly, there is much truth to the old saying that libertarians are just Republicans who like to get high and use prostitutes.

liberals do not practice the golden rule. ....as they believe in throwing people in prison for not wanting what they do

This is NOT what liberals believe. It's not what I believe and I think I speak for most liberals. Your misunderstanding of what a liberal is leads you astray.

sure it is what they believe in.

Where do you get your info? RNC monthly? It's patently false to paint all liberals with that broad brush. In your zeal to discredit the president, you miss the forest for the trees.

MJ, for a libertarian you are pretty aggressive. I, as a member of the DEMOCRATIC party (notice it's not the democrat party), am against war as are most of the party members. See, war takes away from the people of the nation and singles out the poorer amongst us to die for the rich. We don't dig that. Not one iota. Painting with broad strokes blurs the big picture. Ya dig?

Take off the republican glasses, MJ. The aggression of others forced the actions taken (emancepation of slaves, CRA, etc). We don't force our "morality" on anyone. That'd be the Christian Right. I dare not tell you how to live your life. It's not my place, but if you meddle in mine or someone elses and restrict their freedom you better damn well expect me to come to the defense of the ones being wronged. I don't understand why you hate so much. It saddens me. Your view of the Democratic party and liberals is skewed for some reason, and is right in line with ultra-conservative talking points. I hope that you learn to practice the golden rule, as you seem to want others to practice it.

MJ, I would reccomend reading what I write and not passing judgement on me without knowing me. I am a liberal, and I do not believe in doing any of what you say. As I posted above, I would suggest you learn what it is to be liberal instead of parroting what you are told about liberals.

if I do not pay what liberals deem appropriate I will be thrown in prison

If you do not pay what congress (not liberals, my friend) has deemed appropriate for the operation of the federal government. That congress that we, the American people, elected. And you will only be "thrown in prison" in extreme cases. You are a citizen of the United States of America and live under the protection of it's government and military. Are you saying that a libertarian government would collect no taxes? How would it function? How could it function? It couldn't. Liberals want to throw you in prison? Laughable and patently false.

if so...you are the only liberal I know who thinks that...and then you would not be a liberal...but a libertarian...as they are the only group that actually cares about humanity....and not power.

Then you don't know any liberals. Libertarians don't hold a monopoly on caring about humanity. In fact, I would argue libertarians don't care about humanity, rather they care only about their property and keeping other peoples hands off of it.

Since you're referring to the dropping of the bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, remember that Japan was the agressor. They attacked us. The only options at that point was to invade Japan or use the experimental wepon. They chose the latter, which saved millions of lives both American and Japanese. If you're referring to internment camps, it was deplorable. Liberals were integral in getting the families compensation. So...yeah. As far as eugenics goes, you can try to tie that to liberals all you want, but it's false. Eugenics evolved from racial fears of the elite (Carnegie, Rockefeller, et.al.) post civil war. History is history, my friend. Your hatred for liberals won't change that.

no I am talking about us locking up the japanese in this country...in camps.

I addressed that above, you must have missed it.

democrats the one who locked them up

That's simplifying it quite a bit.

democrats the one who pushed eugenics

I'm not sure where you get your information. This is an interesting read. I think you are confusing the wealthiest families in America with today's Democratic party. And eugenics wasn't about the good of the whole. Understanding the motives behind the movement will help with your confusion. Eugenics wasn't ammoral, it was immoral.

I'd be interested to know who told you that progressives were at the forefront of the eugenics movement. Unless Calvin Coolidge suddenly became a progressive, I think you might be mistaken. Eugenics was the initiative to "cleanse" the population through breeding, to create a "super race" of Nordic decent. Basically to breed out people like me, Irish catholics. The intent was to create a powerful class of "white" people that would eventually eradicate all others. This was the vision of the super rich of the day. Not the progressive boogie man or "Democrats". Follow the money, and you generally find the culprit when something nefarious is afoot.

Here's another interesting read on the subject of eugenics.

why, because human nature is basically evil, that's why

Agreed. Humans are inherently evil and this history of violence predates the so-called "golden rule".

That's two for two today Polka. I might just have to stop eating meat.

That's two for two today Polka. I might just have to stop eating meat.

Good. My plan is proceeding as envisioned. Soon you will believe in natural rights in regards to humans and non-humans. I assume the concept is similar to the so-called "golden rule". I believe in freedom so if this "golden rule" is similar then maybe it is not so complicated?

How does that tofu bacon taste, btw?

How does that tofu bacon taste, btw?

I don't normally consume the bacon replacement but I will buy other items that mimic various animal products. If it isn't animal products then it is acceptable to consume. I like eastern foods like seitan and tofu. It is recommended that everyone consume tofu nearly every day because it is very healthy and it does have the good taste if you know how to prepare it. But the most important concept is the ideal of non-aggression and veganism enhances that concept.

Hi CL1,

Here is an link to an article I found here on newsvine

Weeding Out Corporate Psychopaths

This is a well written article, and explains better than I can what I'm thinking.

The Golden Rule only works for those people with empathy. As you well know, first you have to be able to envision yourself in another's shoes before you can empathize with that person. A psychopath cannot feel empathy, hence no Golden Rule. At best they use learned responses to emulate empathy.

Thank you, Master Link

ML... I was just teasing you.

I knew what you meant, and agree with the definition and the 'application'. I will take a look at the link, too. :)

Worse, they may be the same people advising governments on how to resolve this crisis.

To tackle this problem, we must instead examine this rare and curious condition, and why recent corporate history may have elevated precisely the wrong type of people to positions of great power and public trust.

Unfeeling, but not insane

Psychopathy should not be confused with insanity. It is best described by Robert Hare, global expert and psychologist, as “emotional deafness”

I agree.

What is also unfortunate is that it appears some are good at being 'copy cats' (as the article pointed out) making it difficult to separate those that are genuine from those that are not.

I wasn't worried CL1, I take all your comments with good heart.

Thank you for the link, I bookmarked and will look at it tomorrow when the sun is up.

All smiles, Master Link

..And "thank you" for the link! I'm glad you take me with "good heart," as that is always my intention. I always view your commentary in a positive light, as well.