The times they are a changin’

It’s hard to believe that over decades this protest song seems to apply best to the left wing orthodoxy today. Things have changed, and the reactionaries of today are the leftist types. To read the words of the song, here is a link: http://www.bobdylan.com/songs/times.html

Over the last half century the polarizing of our culture, and the professionalizing of our politics have changed how our Congress runs, how our media works, how we elect our politicians, and too often how we think. The apparent ability of money to influence politicians, and the schemed political campaigns run by professionals have become part of the status quo that Bob Dylan’s song rants against.

Some may get depressed over this reversal of just who are the reactionaries today. After all, reactionaries enjoy political power, and other powers. The suppression of free speech on many college campuses comes to mind.

But the thrust of liberal ideas, the almost tidal wave of initiatives and good intentions, has run its course. When we hear Presidential candidates promote (many would say recycle) failed ideas from 40 years ago we have a good hint that the there is nothing new being offered, except in the professional political presentation.

Of course, it most easy to complain and critique. Unless one offers alternatives to we the voters, one is inconsequential. In this there is hope for the alternatives to the present day liberal orthodoxy. My favorite one is a domestic issue. I think prisons are to protect we citizens from the criminals, not to be rehabilitation centers. And we need to put tax money towards making it happen. Add your own in as you please.

Why are the times changing? It is difficult to over-generalize because we are a big society. But I will dare to guess three big factors.
1. We expect results to all things we have done to eradicate poverty, protect ourselves, and in general promote our way of life. The idea of good intentions counting has already faded.
2. We seek leaders who have courage to say what they think. We don’t have to agree with them all the way, but just have to trust them in what they say. Professional politicians are on the way out. Even “professional political hit pieces” such as former Senator Bob Kerrey suffered will turn out the other way, in the end.
3. The body politic has changed. The baby boomer generation and the women’s vote has changed how America votes. The baby boomer generation will pass due to death. The women’s vote will not.

Other obvious changes are also going on. The mainstream media seems to be suffering in its income and distribution numbers as people abandon them for other alternatives. Hollywood seems to be suffering in income and distribution numbers, also. While I don’t know why, I do use my pocket book boycott to avoid movies and their DVD versions, mostly due to cultural reasons and not political reasons. This so obvious principle even applies to Robert Redford’s film festival where some “artists” have gone too far, and no one will buy the distribution of some of this years filth. Even if someone does, it will probably not make money. This is the idea of voting with one’s pocket book.

The times have and are still changing. The voters are more in charge than in a long time. The influence of money and professional media masters is waning. Voters are expecting results on things important to them. Let me start with Family Security, from both foreign and domestic threats.