Hey DU!! What is/are YOUR most important principle(s)?

[LC EFA]

Leftists have principles ?

This should be a hoot.

Land Shark  Donating Member  (1000+ posts)  Sun Feb-15-09 04:18 PM
Original message
Hey DU!! What is/are YOUR most important principle(s)? (I'm listening to YOU)

Edited on Sun Feb-15-09 04:22 PM by Land Shark
Once again, opposition to Holt's proposed bill for elections in 2009 is described by some as "absolutist" or "idealist." I'm delighted, in this context of our rights to vote and
rights in democracy, to be called or identified with these terms. It puts me in decent company (see quotes below).

But I've got far bigger things to discusss in this OP, believe it or not. I'd prefer to avoid the Holt bill, in deference to the larger issues/ideals/principles I'd like to be informed of BY YOU in the replies to this thread.


A little background on why it's so important not to compromise on one's HIGHEST ideals (as opposed to lesser subjects):

Ideals are but principles. One example of an ideal is to be honest.
We may never fully achieve that ideal of honestly constantly through
our whole life but, on the other hand, to abandon honesty as a
goal-ideal is to steer directly to disaster. Not to be an
"absolutist" about the ideal (even if we often fail in its
achievement) is to abandon the ideal. In the case of honesty that
means one becomes an INTENTIONAL LIAR, the worst kind. So it's a good
thing to be an "absolutist" about ideals, the question is which one's
are the most important such that they ought to be protected or
identified with in an absolute way?

[snipped]

I don't at the moment have the funds to send any one a Valentine heart via DU, but if I won the Lotto I'd send all of you one.

In lieu of that, and not asking anyone to send me one (though one anonymous benefactor already did prior to this post) I'd ask you to take some action toward your highest principle or ideal, and (whether you want me to, or not!) I'll consider THAT to be sending me a Valentine heart.

"Whatever you do unto the least of these, you do unto me."

Explaining one interpretation of the above biblical phrase, the link below says:

"By "me" Jesus did not mean the historical figure. He meant the Christ Energy, which is inherent in all people and all things and is another name for the Mystery." http://www.mayyoubehappy.com/uleofth.html

"Whatever you do unto the least of these, you do unto me."

That's such a beautiful saying. Because everything is a part of the whole, is the Whole itself in some mysterious way. Thus when we perform a kind or generous act toward any being whatsoever, we are doing it towards the Whole itself.

So, may I ask you to state your most important ideals/principles in response to this post? I promise that I will read/listen to them, and if you can also mention some action you are taking or will take toward that ideal or principle, even if imperfect, that would be a great way to send a Heart to someone else, to the whole World, and, I'm happy to report, that includes me (and You). One example: Donating to DU and spreading hearts of appreciation. But I'm sure DU as a whole has many other incredible principles and ideas and I'd love to hear some of them. I've indirectly indicated some of my own, but again, if you're a practicing atheist or don't consider Love a highest principle, I'd rather have you Teach me what is, than to tell me what Isn't.

In return for the respect of not quibbling with any minor points, I'll closely listen to what YOU have to say, and consider it seriously. Listening is certainly a form of respect, and some would say, Love.

With love,
Paul Lehto
Juris Doctor

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x5060031

He gets all the way through that without actually stating anything concerning what principle(s) he may or may not hold. To be expected really.

Ian David  Donating Member  (1000+ posts)  Sun Feb-15-09 04:20 PM
Response to Original message
1. Never read anything over four paragraphs long. n/t

Oh a wise guy !

NC_Nurse  Donating Member  (1000+ posts)  Sun Feb-15-09 04:34 PM
Response to Original message
4. A good compromise leaves everybody mad.
   
I like that saying, but I don't know where my husband heard it....

This is not a principle you moron.

Flying Dream Blues  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Sun Feb-15-09 04:47 PM
Response to Original message
5. A beautiful post. Thanks for asking and listening!
   
I can't compromise on honesty or integrity in any area of life. Moderation of honesty and integrity for "the greater good" is a slippery slope and is probably the cause of the sickness that inhabits our current system. It's so easy to let the little compromises lead to bigger ones, especially when one's or one's family's comfort and security is involved.

In politics, I think we also need to be inflexible about the principle of service. When politics serves as a quick route to the gravy train, all the wrong people are involved. The concept of elective office as a service to the country and a sacrifice to oneself keeps people grounded and in touch with the people they serve.

This principle of service also means that the people, not special interest groups/lobbyists and certainly not corporations, are the top priority. If the people as a whole are considered FIRST and foremost, all of those groups should be well attended to.

Another ideal I have is one of social justice. We can't be proud of our country until everyone has full access to their civil rights as afforded by the Constitution. And speaking of the Constitution, if anything this last eight years has taught us that we surrender our civil liberties at our peril. And I also believe that however inconvenient and costly it may be, we have to enforce the law against those who break it or we have just invited someone else to do the same when given the opportunity. This is the best example of the corruption of moderation; after the whole Nixon debacle no one wants to enforce the law, so the infractions have only gotten worse and more blatant.

Honesty and Integrity ... Nice try. Not two qualities that are exactly often reported on the DUmp.

The Straight Story  Donating Member  (1000+ posts)  Sun Feb-15-09 04:47 PM
Response to Original message
6. Compromise is but a step on the ladder to getting what one really wants
   
Let's take a hot topic here as an example (and will add another): Smoking.

First it was "Just don't let it happen at work", then it became food joints, then bars, then condo's, then outdoors in parks/beaches, then outdoors where some bar owners wanted to have outdoor patios for it (drifts), then people began complaining about people standing out on the sidewalk smoking and having to walk past it (which to me says they should have just let like minded people congregate in a place that allows smoking...)

Same went down with seat belts. Was not going to be a primary offense. Then after awhile the next step was made. People went along with it when it was not primary offense, so they compromised.

Now before the anti-smokers come along and hijack the thread let me say that I only used that as but one example of a principle we see time and again.

Tell people you only want X (like we don't want to outlaw guns, just add more regulations) then after a time you add some more, until after awhile you get what you really wanted all along.

At least fundies on the right come right out and say what they want and go for it (and let's hope they keep losing on those issues). Nanny state people know they will get run out of town on a rail if they expose they main agenda of controlling people's lives and choices so they incrementally work towards their goal.

At some point - you stop compromising and make a stand on your principles.

We are a big tent and a melting pot, we need to value the variety of people and how they live instead of spending more and more time trying to get everyone following one gospel.

And don't even get me started on how many kids people should have, homeschooling, etc and so on.

Choice - it's worth defending even if it is not a choice I would make.

While an enlightening look at how your mind works, you post still doesn't include anything what could be considered a principle.

robinlynne  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Sun Feb-15-09 07:51 PM
Response to Original message
12. quite a question, this "what is your highest principle?"
   
a difficult one to answer quickly in the internet way. but I will say:
I agree wholeheartedly about the middle, which is why I did not support Obama's idea of sitting everyone at the table".
but I look forward to the possibility of being proven wrong about this particular example. I generally stick to my guns and don't compromise much, but sometimes admire those who do: Gandhi, my mother, martin Luther King, to name a few. (No they did not compromise their highest principles, Landshark.)
so the compromise thing is a bit tricky imho. There are two sides, and it does depend on exactly what you will compromise! I need to learn the art of compromise. and yes the perfect can be the enemy of the good. Conversely I do not think that putting bankers in charge of the Treasury department, or negotiating with republicans is going to get us anywhere. Same with the Holt bill, mentioned at the beginning. Voting has got to be sacred. It is the ONLY way we get to voice our opinions. This government which is supposed to represent us will never do so as long as elections are bought and sold and corrupted as they are today. Which they are.

"Not to be an absolutist about the ideal of honesty is to be a liar?" I think not, Landshark, but you saved it by saying you must be absolutist about only those most important ideals and goals. Again there are 2 ways of seeing things. Language does have those drawbacks. We are different people with different experiences. the word absolutist makes me cringe, and I see honesty as one of the most important moral commitments of my life, and yet I lie sometimes...

a core principle I am enjoying right now: kindness and caring. I am taking care of some abused dogs until they find homes. It has turned my house upside down, literally, and it is giving me tremendous joy in a moment when so many are being abandoned and have no way to fend for themselves.

Blah blah blah, nothing here except empty words.

Interesting to note that they either don't know what a principle is or unable to define what the believe theirs are.

Not unexpected at all though.

[Chris]

Blah blah blah, nothing here except empty words.

Interesting to note that they either don't know what a principle is or unable to define what the believe theirs are.

Not unexpected at all though.

Agreed.

[lnthomp]

It's already more than blindingly obvious, even to most of the DUmmies, that President Obama does not hold honesty as a guiding principle.

[franksolich]

Hey now, the loan shark primitive really pissed me off, with this "whatever you do to the least of these, you do unto me" bit.

We know Democrats, liberals, 0bamaites, and primitives don't do that.

On the other hand, we know that the Republicans and conservatives among us expend a great deal of personal hopes, energy, and money on the weak and the vulnerable.

Their, or our, own resources, not coerced "contributions," taxes collected to salve guilty feelings of Democrats, liberals, 0bamaites, and primitives.

No shit, lurking primitives; that's the way it is.

Shove that up your asses and smoke it, lurking primitives.

[USA4ME]

The Straight Story

Nanny state people know they will get run out of town on a rail if they expose they main agenda of controlling people's lives and choices so they incrementally work towards their goal.

Now, go look in the mirror, figure out that's what the Dem party is all about, and decide if that's how you want to be or not.

.

[jukin]

What classification of mental illness is it when one knows they have nothing but the worst in mind for others but have an unmatched ability to self-delude that this is for the good of mankind?

It's like the french thinking they are still relevant and are a courageous fighting force.

[The Village Idiot]

Agreed.

DU=empty heads, empty words

[InfamousAndy]

It is easy to state MY most treasured principle.

'Love the Lord with all your heart, mind, body, and soul.'

I'll even tell you my second most cherished principle...

'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.'

[DumbAss Tanker]

I believe, in common with bad spouses, they all work mainly off this well-known principle:

"What's mine is mine, and what's yours is ours."