Logic versus feeling

Political-debate is a sensitive battleground for people with strong feelings and solid opinions. The complexity is not only regarding the issues themselves, hardcore facts about this and that or thick reports saying this and that. The complexity is also related to the different ways people discuss. Some are logical, others emotional. Some are both. Some are perhaps neither and think with their arse instead (though socialists are not that common as they used to be).

When it comes down to the straight hardcore facts, obvious experience with various experiments in politics, and pure statistics, the case is clear: The Right is right. However, we still see poor people in rich countries, and many are working physically hard jobs for low wages, and cannot afford many of the things others can afford. For the Left, this group is their one and only "logic" and "arguement" in politics. Why do these induviduals have so little in this society of abundance? Why do they get so little pay? Why? Hasn't capitalism failed them? Isn't this induvidualism creating pains and sufferings for those who have had bad fortune in their lives?

When something like this comes up, no logical reasons or hardcore facts suffice. Unless I say, "hey you are right! Lets tax the rich double than others and in that way transfer money to the poor so they can buy all the stuff they need not later than tomorrow!", I can not in any way calm the Leftist down. This is what he wants to hear. He is thinking, "all this money exists in the society today and simply has to be moved to those who need it the most", and will act accordingly. I can't stop him. I can't tell him that in societies of limited government interferance and great economic freedom, the poor are richer than the poor in societies of obeast governments, and are poor for a shorter time too.

I myself am an example of that. Right now I own nothing but depts and not a single object is in my name on papers. However, soon being graduated with a degree in engineering, I will hopefully get a job soon and start building up property and wealth and in just a few years climb high up the income ladder. Right now I am officially "poor". However, I live in an open market society in a country that is well plugged into the globalized job and financial market and therefore I am not too worried about my future possibilities - not even if my education turns out to be useless! I am sure my state of mind would be different if I lived in North-Korea!

But the beat goes on, like the poet said, and the Left will not be convinced. Feelings will again and again hinder any progress, and delay the Right by yet another 50 years in implementing a globalized world-economy of small and limited governments, protected property rights and restrictions on violence. What a shame.