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betsuni

(28,109 posts)
22. "If an action of good intent leads to bad results, then, in the actor's eyes, not he but the world, or the
Tue Jun 17, 2025, 01:20 PM
Jun 17

stupidity of other men is responsible for the evil." Max Weber

"When you think about it, Weber's insight is a bit of a shock. It says quite plainly that in some crucial ways, radicals are not trying to win. They are trying to 'do the right thing' regardless of consequences. Given a choice, radicals would rather be 'right' than obtain what they agree is the best possible outcome. They seem to think 'possible' is a dirty word. So it's no surprise they often defeat themselves. ... In my experience, such thinking is usually accompanied by an excuse when it is challenged ... Then, when pressed, they rationalize their irresponsible behavior with some story about how the forces of history will prove them right in the end. But really, they do what they do because their religion tells them what's 'right,' saving them the trouble of taking responsibility for their actions.

"The radical ethic of conviction: Make your moral judgements without considering that there are bad actors who may cause your action to result in unwanted outcome. Liberal ethic of responsibility: People should strive for good outcomes given reality, bad actors and all.

"The difference between liberal and radicals ... is not wanting fundamental change for the better. The difference is that liberals think strategically about the real world when trying to change it for the better. And that's why they have had success. ... The biggest progressive changes have happened under Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, FDR, LBJ and Obama. All were liberals."

Steven Stoft "How Democrats Win, Resisting Dark-Side Radicalism"

Recommendations

1 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Yes, they are just as guilty is if they voted for Trump Walleye Jun 17 #1
Mathematically incorrect. Terry_M Jun 17 #2
That proposition is logically incoherent n/t Shrek Jun 17 #3
Fuck anyone and everyone that didn't support and vote for Hillary and Kamala. W_HAMILTON Jun 17 #4
They'll be there next time too with their dumb phony "reasons" based on disinformation, emotion and ignorance. betsuni Jun 17 #5
Jill Stein voters jerk off to the delusion that they're "teaching us a lesson" but then Grokenstein Jun 17 #6
Putin backed her DENVERPOPS Jun 17 #12
Some of them remain proud of their decision. cab67 Jun 17 #19
Most of them is more accurate SocialDemocrat61 Jun 17 #21
"If an action of good intent leads to bad results, then, in the actor's eyes, not he but the world, or the betsuni Jun 17 #22
100% agree. K&R nt PunkinPi Jun 17 #7
Fight backwords? SalamanderSleeps Jun 17 #8
Same question orangecrush Jun 17 #15
Recommended. H2O Man Jun 23 #24
Alternatuvely, those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it. W_HAMILTON Jun 23 #25
Absolutely. Those people helped put trump back in office. Paladin Jun 17 #9
We see statistical evidence that even those who did vote were disenfranchised. The finger pointing is meaningless live love laugh Jun 17 #10
Actually DownriverDem Jun 17 #14
Rinse, wash, repeat. Autumn Jun 17 #11
Guess what? DownriverDem Jun 17 #13
This message was self-deleted by its author krkaufman Jun 17 #16
I'm not sure how often this needs to come up... Hope22 Jun 17 #17
And here we are mcar Jun 17 #18
The beatings will continue until morale improves. nt scipan Jun 17 #20
Kamala Harris warned us LetMyPeopleVote Jun 23 #23
Nonvoters are blameworthy to be sure, but I am not going to say that The Dotard RockRaven Jun 23 #26
How can not voting be a vote? Eko Jun 23 #27
I think more a figure of speech. It's been said that "abstaining is always a vote for the winner." Intractable Jun 23 #28
I discovered in this last election that if people are about to make a stupid decision... DSandra Jun 23 #29
That horse is dead, stop beating it Sewa Jun 23 #30
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