Spring Break
Reader finds 'critical error' in letter
Issue date: 9/12/08 Section: Editorial/Opinion
To the Cigar,
In response to Peter Larrivee's letter, headlined "Reader plead with students to take Republican party back," printed Sept. 11, 2008: Peter Larrivee made a critical error in urging Republicans not to vote for Sen. John McCain in this year's Presidential election based upon the GOP's tax policies; namely, he forgot (or never realized) that generally speaking, people do not vote Republican for personal benefit, but for ideological reasons. Those who wish to vote themselves bread and circuses tend to vote Democrat; as this is a more effective means of accomplishing their goal of getting something for nothing. Anyone who follows political debate will be familiar with the general theme of which this idea was a slight variation; that Republicans vote against their economic self-interest.
This notion, put forth only by Democrats, illustrates a failure to comprehend that what a person perceives as morally right may not be that which benefits one directly; that in fact, the morally right action may hurt the one who takes it. If Mr. Larrivee, or any other leftist, wishes to convince me or any other conservative not to vote Republican on the basis of fiscal policy, trying to sell the notion that to do so will be personally beneficial won't cut the mustard.
Convince us progressive tax policies that punish people for being financially successful are the morally correct choice - if you can. Convince us to accept your utilitarian ideals by which the ends justify the means; by which theft is an ethical requirement if the thief benefits more than the victim suffers.
Matthew Greffin
In response to Peter Larrivee's letter, headlined "Reader plead with students to take Republican party back," printed Sept. 11, 2008: Peter Larrivee made a critical error in urging Republicans not to vote for Sen. John McCain in this year's Presidential election based upon the GOP's tax policies; namely, he forgot (or never realized) that generally speaking, people do not vote Republican for personal benefit, but for ideological reasons. Those who wish to vote themselves bread and circuses tend to vote Democrat; as this is a more effective means of accomplishing their goal of getting something for nothing. Anyone who follows political debate will be familiar with the general theme of which this idea was a slight variation; that Republicans vote against their economic self-interest.
This notion, put forth only by Democrats, illustrates a failure to comprehend that what a person perceives as morally right may not be that which benefits one directly; that in fact, the morally right action may hurt the one who takes it. If Mr. Larrivee, or any other leftist, wishes to convince me or any other conservative not to vote Republican on the basis of fiscal policy, trying to sell the notion that to do so will be personally beneficial won't cut the mustard.
Convince us progressive tax policies that punish people for being financially successful are the morally correct choice - if you can. Convince us to accept your utilitarian ideals by which the ends justify the means; by which theft is an ethical requirement if the thief benefits more than the victim suffers.
Matthew Greffin
