April 20, 2023
Leftists lack the courage of their convictions
By
Bob Ryan
Leftists lack the courage of their convictions, almost every time.
It is easy for them to claim they hold to some beliefs, but it's something else entirely for them to have the courage to stand by such beliefs.
To take but one example, during the Vietnam War, thousands of hippies dodged the draft by moving to and living in
Canada. If they truly believed their stance was right, why didn’t they stay to face the courts? It was easier for them to talk about their convictions, but something else entirely to prove them to others, the way
Muhammad Ali, who also dodged the draft, did.
I disagree with everything Ali stood for. But do admire he had the courage of his convictions. He was willing to risk everything, including his
career, because he truly believed Vietnam was wrong.
There are other examples, too.
Environmentalists make demands of others for the sake of "saving the Earth," without giving up a single luxury. They aren’t living off the grid the way the
Amish do. They would rather travel and use modern technology, since it would take true conviction to live without modern conveniences. If they had an ounce of courage, they would at least boycott the world’s biggest polluter, which is
China.
And in this modern day, there are still more examples.
Wealthy leftists, like
Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, claim people like them should be taxed more, yet they have never sent more to Uncle Sam than legally required. There is no law stating people cannot pay more in taxes than the law requires. Both could have sent extra money at any time. It is easier for them, and other wealthy leftists, to talk about being taxed more, rather than live by their convictions.
The not-so-wealthy
Bernie Sanders, who barely breaks the millionaire bar, has three houses. Rather than live by what he demands,
taxing wealthy people, to support his socialist causes, he spends his wealth on himself. He lives the way he accuses other wealthy people of living.
If he had the courage of his convictions, he could have sent his wealth to the federal government via taxation beyond what he owes or open a homeless shelter.
Leftists show no more courage regarding people here illegally, as they do any other belief.