Social Commentary: Passion/Compassion

photo: F LoBuono

If you do a quick web dictionary search for the words passion and compassion, here is what you’ll get for their primary definitions:

Passion - Any strong emotion
Compassion - Sympathy

I believe that these two, simple words provide the framework that shapes the debate that rages in our country today. On one side are the so-called CONSERVATIVES who generally favor a smaller government, less taxes, and a non-regulatory business environment. On the other, are the so-called LIBERALS. Generally, they favor an involved government, a greater tax levy on the wealthy, and more regulation of business. I believe that both sides see the obvious need for a revision in the way things are done in Washington, particularly when it comes to the Federal budget and our enormous deficit. But this is where the consensus ends and the enormous gulf between the two begins.

Both sides state their claims with great passion. Conservatives, lead by the Party of No (i.e. The Tea Party) argue passionately that this entire mess has been caused by a top heavy Federal government that punishes individualism and promotes a culture of entitlement. They passionately contend that the citizenry is already over-taxed and that more taxes would further weaken an already struggling economy. They also passionately claim that saddling businesses with more regulation only causes businesses to pull back rather than invest in the future and grow the economy. In other words, they passionately feel “less government is better government”. Anything that impedes these core principals is considered anathema by the Conservatives.

Interestingly, despite their calls for “less government” in our lives, Conservatives, particularly so-called Social Conservatives, would have the government pass legislation that would restrict the right to marry solely to heterosexual couples. In an effort to support the growth of big business, they would negate or, at least, weaken Unions and do away with any effort to safeguard the environment if it would impede business. Social Conservative would also institute an “Evangelical Christian culture” in our lives, leaving other belief systems on the outside looking in. They would eliminate a woman’s right to choose. And, of course, all would be done with the utmost passion!

On the surface, smaller government, a balanced budget, less taxes, and a free market economy seem like admirable goals. Shit, I’m so passionate about that, you can sign me up right now! However, it’s when you dig beneath the surface and ask the tough question: “how do we get there” that you realize how flawed their approach is. Why? I believe that although Conservatives are passionate about their goals, they lack compassion in their inception. To balance the budget they would severely limit funding for social/safety net programs like Medicaid and Medicare. To stimulate economic growth they would reduce or eliminate restrictions on businesses allowing for a completely unregulated environment. But at what cost? Unions, who for years have protected workers against the might of powerful corporations, would be severely limited in their roles, if not eliminated entirely. Without some type of Environmental control, Big Business would be free to rape the land and pollute the water. It’s not like they ever did that in the days before some sort of regulation! Social standards would be limited to “the Christian model”.

Sure, LIBERALS are passionately full of shit, too! They constantly make promises that they couldn't’t possibly keep. They are passionate about improving education. They are passionate about creating more so-called safety net programs. They are passionate about protecting the environment. However, they lack the planning, if not the will power, to pay for these things and STILL balance the budget. However, what they are NOT lacking in is compassion. The root, the core principal, to a Liberal, is one based on compassion, i.e. sympathy. Sometimes, this is thrown back in the face of Liberals as if it were some type of dirty word! But the value of any society is based on its ability to stick together as a community; for the strong to protect the weak, for the rich to aid the poor, for the wise to educate the uninformed, for the healthy to tend to the sick. This can only be accomplished when legislation is introduced with passion but built on a foundation created by compassion.

I am passionate in my desire to see this country change. It needs to change. It must change. However, how we change it will make all the difference. Will you be passionate about the need to change, but compassionate about where, how, and why we make those changes? Passion and Compassion; two little words, whose definitions make all the difference.