Politics

[jschembs]

Professional investors always hold themselves out as dispassionate and rational, so I'm always fascinated to see the political rabbit holes on this site.

 

Why do folks think it makes any sense to form two factions and assume everyone fits into one of those two buckets?

 

I suppose it's a sad fact that if even this site can't conduct dispassionate and rational discussions on how to govern our society, there's probably not much hope for the Fox News and CNN crowds.

[John Hjorth]

There is an inherent - built-in, so to say - logical flaw related to starting a topic about Politics here in the "General Discussion" forum here on CoBF, no matter the level or angle, based on how CoBF is structured today. It's not that complicated.

[jschembs]

There is an inherent - built-in, so to say - logical flaw related to starting a topic about Politics here in the "General Discussion" forum here on CoBF, no matter the level or angle, based on how CoBF is structured today. It's not that complicated.

 

Sorry, didn't spend enough time reviewing all of the relevant categories...I do think, however, the discussion does transcend politics to the extent it's not about us vs them on specific topics.

[rkbabang]

There are those of us that hate both sides.  We are just few and far between.  People think that they need to pick one of these baskets of random positions and then, once chosen, ignore all evidence to the contrary on every issue in that basket.  Imagine if investing worked this way.  You can't like AAPL unless you also like TSLA.  Are you part of the team or are you one of "them"?

 

 

 

[stahleyp]

There are those of us that hate both sides.  We are just few and far between.  People think that they need to pick one of these baskets of random positions and then, once chosen, ignore all evidence to the contrary on every issue in that basket.  Imagine if investing worked this way.  You can't like AAPL unless you also like TSLA.  Are you part of the team or are you one of "them"?

 

I think there are more folks than dislike both parties than what you might think. ;)

[rkbabang]

There are those of us that hate both sides.  We are just few and far between.  People think that they need to pick one of these baskets of random positions and then, once chosen, ignore all evidence to the contrary on every issue in that basket.  Imagine if investing worked this way.  You can't like AAPL unless you also like TSLA.  Are you part of the team or are you one of "them"?

 

I think there are more folks than dislike both parties than what you might think. ;)

 

I didn't say "Parties"  I said "sides".  There is a difference.  The parties have attached themselves to the opposing sides, but most people do pick either the liberal basket or the conservative basket of ideas and then stop all thinking after that point.

 

After all how could you be for gay rights unless you want higher taxes and to ban guns?  And how could you possibly want lower taxes unless you are a boot-licking cop lover who loves war and wants the bible taught to school children? 

 

There is no rhyme or reason for these baskets of issues and no 1st principles from which they are derived.  It is a mishmash and completely random.  Yet most of society puts themselves on one side or the other.

 

[Castanza]

There are those of us that hate both sides.  We are just few and far between.  People think that they need to pick one of these baskets of random positions and then, once chosen, ignore all evidence to the contrary on every issue in that basket.  Imagine if investing worked this way.  You can't like AAPL unless you also like TSLA.  Are you part of the team or are you one of "them"?

 

I think there are more folks than dislike both parties than what you might think. ;)

 

I didn't say "Parties"  I said "sides".  There is a difference.  The parties have attached themselves to the opposing sides, but most people do pick either the liberal basket or the conservative basket of ideas and then stop all thinking after that point.

 

After all how could you be for gay rights unless you want higher taxes and to ban guns?  And how could you possibly want lower taxes unless you are a boot-licking cop lover who loves war and wants the bible taught to school children? 

 

There is no rhyme or reason for these baskets of issues and no 1st principles from which they are derived.  It is a mishmash and completely random.  Yet most of society puts themselves on one side or the other.

 

You are correct that there is no rhyme or reason; yet there is a trend. Humans are quite tribal in nature. Look beyond politics and almost everything in society can be viewed through a tribal lens. The issue with tribalism is that it becomes more cemented with time. The contents of said tribalism basket doesn't have to make sense (as you pointed out above) as the desire to "be/feel a part" of something trumps (no pun intended) the reality of being correct. In my opinion this "bandwagon" mentality is a substitution or cognitive justification for the latter part.

 

In terms of our current political tribalism. I personally think it all boils down to one word. "Sincerity" or how individuals choose to interpret the meaning of this word and then use their interpretation to influence policy. Society (well, some of) (specifically in the US) is looking to redefine the relationship between economic systems and moral values. As to not stray too far from the main topic I will exit with a few quotes.

 

"The road to Hell is paved in good intentions"

 

"Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely."

 

"Heaven preserve us from the sincere reformer who "knows" what's good for us."

 

"Philanthropy is a much overrated virtue as is sincerity."

[stahleyp]

I sound like a broken record, but I don't see anything wrong with tribalism if there is no greater good. It's very, very natural part of humanity.

[LC]

It’s a little different because one way or another AAPL or NFLX will be elected. So you will be impacted whether you choose to invest or not.

[rkbabang]

It’s a little different because one way or another AAPL or NFLX will be elected. So you will be impacted whether you choose to invest or not.

 

You are correct.  The design is flawed from the get-go, which is the reason it doesn't work.  Using force to limit choice while being forced to accept what other people choose.  As you so persuasively point out government can never work well. The voluntary free market is much better way to organize large groups of people to get things done.