Of all of the harm that Conservative Ideology has done to our country in the last 30 years is the idea that selfishness is respectable is in my opinion the most damaging.
Self interest is unavoidable and a successful society works to align enlightened self interest with the public good. Utopian notions of everyone will voluntarily following a notion like, “ From each according this his abilities, to each according to his needs”, are doomed to failure. Recognizing this truth is not an excuse to celebrate and venerate self interest ,much less laud the virtue of excessive concern with self interest, which is selfishness.
When I speak of selfishness I am speaking of the common materialistic understanding; grabbing more than I have rightfully earned at others expense. Of course a truly enlighten person knows that enabling the happiness of others is the best route to advancing your own happiness. Christ did not advocate selfishness.
The advancement of selfishness as a virtue has made it ok to support a war,but not contribute to the cost; leaving our grandchildren to pay the price of our selfishness and Conservatives political self interest.
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