Living in a World Without Thought

People are funny.

Obviously, we all like to believe that we are on the correct side of the fence on every issue.  In order to believe that we are right, we have to develop a perspective of what people on the other side of that fence believe.  We have a choice when developing these perceptions.  Do we do it from a distance, or do we do our best to talk to people who disagree with us to get an understanding of WHY they believe what they believe?

Along these lines, Steve over at Rabid Sanity and Wiley Cody over at Big Sky Cairn have shown their preference.  They like to look at us from a distance.  They’ve convinced themselves that (almost) all Liberals hold certain beliefs for very specific reasons.  Here’s the part from Wiley’s post that initially got me riled up:

Steve quotes extensively from an article that attempts to make sweeping claims about liberal in general. In my personal experience, many of the claims he makes ring true. Liberals claim to be for the little guy, but wealth redistribution is really just a way to force someone else to take care of the little guy. They are often motivated by jealousy disguised as perceptions of social injustice. They preach diversity while trying to force everyone to live exactly like they do (and hatefully attacking those whose ideals vary).

My responses and Cody’s non-response follow in the comment thread.  He skirts the issue, as he does so often when I deal with him.

This kind of thought is typical of Cody.  He’s quick to characterize, and slow to show us examples.  It begs the question:  What kind of “personal experience” is he talking about?  Did he get a Democrat drunk enough one night to expose his true motives for believing the way he does?  Did this Democrat (probably an unwashed, jobless hippie), slur the words “I don’t really believe in Social programs, I just want a handout from the Government.  I’m also extremely jealous of wealthy people and am anxious to get some of their money for myself without having to work for it.  I’m also convinced that we should use Government to force the population to believe exactly as I do.  I’ve made a secret pact with all other Democrats to never reveal our true motives.”  Or could it be that Cody’s just pulling this stuff out of his ass?

Why are Cody and Steve so anxious to give us liberals some kind of sinister motives behind our belief system?  The answer seems pretty obvious to me:  It prevents them from having to give any thought to the issues at hand.  If you’re busy believing that the other side is perpetually lazy and dishonest, why do any of the necessary groundwork to give your own beliefs some basis in understanding the other side?  Why bother arguing with real people when you can just characterize them?  Here’s the money quote, from Steve:

Integrity used to mean something. A man’s word was his bond. Now, a promise or a statement of fact are reneged as swiftly as the conditions warrant. Perhaps, I am too rigid in my thinking, but if I can’t trust the other side, why would I want to listen to anything that they say?

Why indeed, Steve?

UPDATE:

Disclaimer: Before the obvious retort of “The left does it too!!” is thrown at me, I wanted to tell you that I’m completely aware of it.  I’ve had lefties inform me that people who are in favor of the war are basically in favor of killing and not worthy of being listened to, and that Republicans are all anti-family.  This is not a left or right kind of problem.  It’s just intellectual laziness, and it’s equally palpable on both sides.