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A sick society must think much about politics, as a sick man must think much about his digestion. C. S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory
One of the most annoying things about the left is how it has infected every aspect of our lives with politics. Ask yourself: "Compared to 20 years ago, how many 'politics-free' spaces do I enjoy now?"
Sports? No. Movies? Are you kidding me? Music? Maybe, but it depends on what genre you follow. Shopping? Nope; most retailers support some pet cause these days, usually one I disagree with. The stock market? ESG. Eating out? Make sure your restaurant isn't culturally appropriating its recipes. Worship? Last Sunday my pastor spoke on how Liberation Theology informs his thinking on the border crisis.
There are fewer and fewer places where people can set aside their political differences and simply enjoy each other's company. That worries me.
Discussion (5)
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Glenn Reynolds pointed out in his recent Substack that Jerry Seinfeld declined to allow politics into his Q&A because he wanted everyone to have a good time. Nate Bargatze is another comedian that leaves politics out of his routines, but he may be shifting left-ward due his success on SNL and with Jimmy Fallon. We’ll see. The thing is, the left knows that if you decline to get political, you’re basically admitting that you lean right.
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This post is part of the Quote of the Day Ricochet group writing project. There’s still plenty of days to sign up in September to post about whatever you want!
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"You may not be interested in
warpolitics, butwarpolitics is interested in you."CHARTER MEMBER
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Of course, it's not just the left that expands government reach. And the larger and more all-encompassing government becomes, the harder it is to ignore politics.
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One major appeal of conservatism is that it is only a partial philosophy of life. It is simpatico with our founding system of government, which lays out enumerated powers and sharp limits to how much government involves itself in my own business. Progressivism tosses all that to the side in a kind of totalizing frenzy, so that ordinary pursuits like eating a steak, working out, driving a truck, or raising a large family become part of the political battlespace. (My whole list now codes as far-right moonbattery, for reasons that escape me.)