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Gifts for all occasions in the Galleria! Subscribe to the "What is the Deal?" mailing list. The "What is the Deal?" Deal-of-the-Week: Movielink(TM)−Download Movies Now May 9, 2004 What is the Deal with the Illogical Left? By Jan A. Larson  I
find it disturbing and yet amazing that some (most?) on the left side
of the political spectrum are either unwilling or incapable of applying
logical reasoning to solving the problems of our day.A recent example cited by nationally syndicated columnist Thomas Sowell involved the Planning Commission in San Mateo, California. While many on the left in California rail against the lack of "affordable" housing, the left-leaning government agencies such as the San Mateo Planning Commission constantly put roadblocks in the path of the very developers that could provide that affordable housing. As a result, housing becomes more and more unaffordable as the population increases while housing options do not. Similarly, many on the left demand more and better jobs for Americans, but yet decry the most powerful forces for job creation, our capitalistic society and American businesses. Extremist environmental activists are some of the weakest at logical thinking. Wildfires are again ravaging southern California and, much as was the case last year when fires destroyed hundreds of homes, environmental regulation that prevents selective clearing of underbrush is one of the main culprits. The irony is unbelievable. Environmentalists push for regulation to "protect" the forests but because they are protected they end up being destroyed. Brilliant. Environmentalists also aren't too swift when it comes to our nation's energy problems. As gasoline prices rise, more are calling for the United States to reduce our dependency on foreign oil, but yet vehemently oppose drilling in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge, despite ample evidence that the risks to wildlife in the refuge are minimal. Logic is lost on the left when it comes to virtually all issues that involve money and economics. Recent figures indicating the fact that the economy is expanding and jobs are being created confirm that President Bush's tax cuts are having the desired effect. Yet Democratic candidate John Kerry continues to call for higher taxes while claiming that he can create more jobs faster. Not only illogical, but also impossible. Those on the left can't or won't acknowledge the skewed logic of affirmative action and preferences. In the name of fairness, some minority students are admitted to colleges and universities for which they are unprepared and will ultimately fail. Those minorities that have earned their place in those institutions are ultimately viewed with a skeptical eye and the non-minorities denied admission as a result are cheated. How does anyone benefit? The left espouses an attitude of inclusion and diversity, but yet on many college campuses, speech codes exist that serve only to stifle speech that may be contrary to that deemed "acceptable." The view is essentially that, "we welcome and value the thoughts and opinions of everyone, as long as they think exactly like us." Those on the left support animal rights but yet favor abortion. Some on the left would save the whales but would have preferred to let thousands of Iraqi citizens die each year under the rule of Saddam Hussein. The left would allow four-letter words to be uttered in primetime, but would ban mention of God in the public square. On virtually every issue in our society, from the notion of universal healthcare to the minimum wage to immigration to saving the snail darter, those on the left always have a position, but most of the time, that position doesn't make any logical sense. Unfortunately, with a population that is apparently becoming less and less capable of thinking logically, those nonsensical positions start to sound pretty good to a lot of Americans. -- Send feedback to the author. The "What is the Deal?" column will appears weekly on the Pie of Knowledge website. Guest submissions are welcome and encouraged. To submit an article to "What is the Deal?" click here. To subscribe to the "What is the Deal?" mailing list and receive early notification when a new column is available, click here. The Pie of Knowledge will never, ever divulge email addresses to any third party for any reason unless so ordered by a court of law. Contributions to the Pie of Knowledge are greatly appreciated. 
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