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September 28, 2006
Partial Progressives
by Jesus Politics
George Lakoff in his recent book, "Thinking Points: Communicating our American Values and Vision", offers some insights that may be useful for progressive Christians and their involvement in politics. In the second chapter, Lakoff discusses the idea that "centrist" voters are really biconceptual voters. He shows how some of these voters can be persuaded to vote for progressive values because they are already leaning this way in some of their thinking.
Lakoff writes about these "partial progressives":
Similarly, within the wide range of those who tend toward a conservative worldview, many are “partial progressives.” If we want to communicate with these conservatives, we’d better recognize that they may live by the progressive moral system in extremely
important areas of their lives. In fact, their progressive values may be their defining characteristics, who they most essentially are—even if they do not see themselves as progressives or liberals. Let’s
look at five of the more common types of “partially progressive conservatives” and see how their values match up with those of self-defined progressives.
Lovers of the land. A lot of conservatives may be hunters and fishermen (who want to fish in unpolluted waters so they can eat their catch); they may be cyclists, hikers, and campers who love to take their families to the national parks; they may be farmers or ranchers who are viscerally connected to their land; or they may be devout Christians who take seriously their biblical obligation to be stewards of the earth. They might never call themselves “environmentalists” or toss around words like “sustainability” or “biodiversity,” but they share many of the same values—values that are ultimately progressive.
Communitarians. There are conservatives who believe in progressive communities. Across the nation, for instance, self-styled conservatives often live in communities— rural towns or suburban neighborhoods—where leaders care about people and act responsibly, where everyone looks out for one another, cares about one another, helps others in need, provides community service, and emphasizes progressive empathy and social responsibility instead of conservative strictness and individualism. They may thus be conservative in their national voting patterns and yet progressive in their communities.
People of faith. A sizable chunk of Americans who are conservative in certain parts of their lives are also progressive in their religion. For instance, religious Christians, both Catholics and Protestants, are progressives at heart if they believe they should live
their lives according to the teachings of Christ—help the poor, feed the hungry, cure the sick, forgive the sinner, turn the other cheek. They will most likely see God as nurturant and loving, not strict and punitive. Even evangelicals (like former president Jimmy Carter) are often progressive.
Socially conscious employers. Many conservative entrepreneurs run their companies as progressive businesses—whether they see it that way or not. They treat their employees well, pay living wages and offer decent benefits, would not dream of harming the environment or their customers, and believe other businesses should also practice a morality that extends beyond just maximizing profit and following the letter of the law.
Civil libertarians. Some of the most ardent civil libertarians in America identify themselves as conservatives or simply as libertarians. They believe in the Bill of Rights and especially the Fourth Amendment. They want their privacy protected and don’t want the government spying on them or interfering with personal moral decisions or with their sex lives. They want free speech and freedom of association and want the government to stay out of religion and religion to stay out of government. They want constraints on the powers of the police and want strong protections from the courts. On
issues of personal freedom, they abide by progressive morality.
Understanding this opens up a powerful way for progressives to communicate with swing voters on the basis of real shared values.
Posted by Jesus Politics at September 28, 2006 04:24 AM
Comments
I think I've only met one or two "socially conscious employers" in my life. Most are greedy, wicked, selfish individuals who care nothing about their employees, the environment, or even their customers- beyond what they are forced to. Indeed, I've heard them advocate repealing a lot of the laws that protect others (such as equal rights laws, etc.)
This observance comes from being in business for over 15 years, and having worked for years before that.
Posted by: Bob Bowers at September 28, 2006 04:46 PM
Communitarians. There are conservatives who believe in progressive communities. Across the nation, for instance, self-styled conservatives often live in communities— rural towns or suburban neighborhoods—where leaders care about people and act responsibly, where everyone looks out for one another, cares about one another, helps others in need, provides community service, and emphasizes progressive empathy and social responsibility instead of conservative strictness and individualism. They may thus be conservative in their national voting patterns and yet progressive in their communities.
No one can prove to me that to vote Republican is any part Christian.
Exodus 23: 2 "Do not join a crowd that intends to do evil. When you are on the witness stand, do not be swayed in your testimony by the opinion of the majority. 3 And do not slant your testimony in favor of a person just because that person is poor.
How many money loving people voted Republican when the Republican Party wanted to abolish welfare.
The Giving of Tithes
Deuteronomy 14: 22[ "You must set aside a tithe of your crops--one-tenth of all the crops you harvest each year.] 23 Bring this tithe to the place the LORD your God chooses for his name to be honored, and eat it there in his presence. This applies to your tithes of grain, new wine, olive oil, and the firstborn males of your flocks and herds. The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to fear the LORD your God. 24 Now the place the LORD your God chooses for his name to be honored might be a long way from your home. 25 If so, you may sell the tithe portion of your crops and herds and take the money to the place the LORD your God chooses. 26 When you arrive, use the money to buy anything you want--an ox, a sheep, some wine, or beer. Then feast there in the presence of the LORD your God and celebrate with your household. 27 And do not forget the Levites in your community, for they have no inheritance as you do. 28[ "At the end of every third year bring the tithe of all your crops and store it in the nearest town.] . 29 Give it to the Levites, who have no inheritance among you, as well as to the foreigners living among you, the orphans, and the widows in your towns, so they can eat and be satisfied.] Then the LORD your God will bless you in all your work.
[Have you ever heard of the Republicans carving on a monument and secretly setting it in a court house]
Deuteronomy 27: 15 `Cursed is anyone who carves or casts idols and secretly sets them up. These idols, the work of craftsmen, are detestable to the LORD.'.
Posted by: Monte Schlarman at September 29, 2006 09:05 PM
I actually met an honest (and even kind) businessman today.
The engine in my "new" car blew. I had to have a new one put in, and had a local shop/junkyard put one in for me. The first engine they put in was bad, so they went and got a good one (without any additional charges or pressure to pay more!) Then, they put new seals, gasket, and timing belt on the engine. Finally, when they first tested the good engine, they discovered that the radiator had a bad hole in the bottom, so they replaced the radiator AT NO ADDITIONAL COST!!! I probably couldn't have afforded a radiator repair on top of the replaced engine!
It renews a tiny bit of faith in people for us. They will get our business from now on!
By the way... the battery had also gone bad, so I took it to Wal Mart for a new one- and they tried to force me to buy the most expensive battery they had. I refused, and took it to another place where I got the battery I really wanted at the price I was willing to pay. Maybe it is the difference between a big business and a small one.
So, there are some decent business owners out there (we were widely spread out and rare when I was in business 10 years ago)!
Thought everyone would like to hear something positive!!!
Posted by: Bob Bowers at October 5, 2006 09:42 PM
