LOFT965

In the course of humanity, there has always been a struggle between regression and progression. With the latter being the only way all of humanity can prosper and the former being the scapegoat for the containment of wealth and any other advancements for the groups who have them. That is why they are called “conservatives.” It’s not because they want to conserve the world as it is (they are the ones who deny global warming, continue drilling, they are usually responsible for corporate corruption and safeguarding of unregulated capitalism). The “conserving” part come from their need to protect their assets and the current political atmosphere. This is without regard to how other people might feel. 

To me liberalism is a reaction to conservatism and not the other way around. Because once the figureheads spread fear through tradition and their religious interpretation all progress comes to a halt. Art declines, education dwindles, liberties are taken and then suddenly we see a huge gap between the rich and the poor. As this gap widens, the poor, who are less likely to get an education and automatically are drawn to dogma and tradition for life’s answers, start getting agitated with seeing the big boys get bigger. I call this the televangelist-viewer syndrome.

A people’s person, usually coming from a church, suddenly gets a TV Show and a mic and then preaches his/her way to people’s minds. Then asks for donations, which turn into a huge franchise. Then suddenly that person is a star and no longer speaks to the people but expects from the people, especially since the source from which he attracted the people is ever-so-limited.

This in turn, alienates the people and they start looking for someone else. This is what got Bush into office and this is what will get Obama into office. Other nations have figured out how to avoid that pull-back of conservatism that has been hindering humanity’s progress for ages.

Some nations have concentrated on education, which has produced broad-minded populations that don’t have to retort to the ancient world for answers.  The same goes for Kuwait. The beardists champion the word of the celestial like they are sent for this reason and this reason only. But, once they get into office, it is quite different. The corruption index rises the more they have a grip on politics. Kuwait’s future gets grimmer and grimmer every time tribalism rears its head.  We don’t ask for education checks before someone enters the parliament.

 And, as a result, Kuwait which used to be a beacon of light for the rest of the Arab world suddenly became the sister that tags along.  Art has definitely declined, if not gone to the dumps. Education has turned into brainwashing propaganda. Tourism has vanished. And the social conditioning of conservatism has become so engrained that it is radical to ask “why not?” The most essential question every civilization has to ask. If it wasn’t for this question this world would be very different. Polio would have erased the human race and we would still think the earth is actually flat.

The truth is our enemy, as humans, is not other nations, disease or poverty. Our enemy is conservatism. Because all of these things are byproducts of conservatism. Developed nations are less likely to go to war, stem cell research (which conservatives loathe) would erase many ailments and poverty could be eradicated by social order. Now, I am not saying it would happen the instance liberalism prevails, but it would only happen if it did. And I hope, for Kuwait, this time is edging closer.

This is why I am excited for an Obama administration even when I think he is not liberal enough. Because the prospect of a liberal America would consequently affect the entire world. Also, a liberal America would flex its imperial muscle in its foreign policy. And, quite frankly, I am sick of conservatives preaching what they think is wrong or right in a world that doesn’t draw fine lines. Mother Nature is at stake and you really need to get with the times.