[MD] Neoconservatism

[Arlo J. Bensinger]

[Gene to Dan]
Indeed. Well I guess that showed me then. Glad to be shown I'm an idiot. Thanks.

[Arlo interjects]
You're not an idiot, Gene. Most people can see past the charade that is the
modern dichotomy. To them, the only response to challenging over consumption is
to present the complete ascetic. If you don't fully agree with the rampant
consumerism and selfish-focus of the modern dialogue, then you're only recourse
is to become a hermitic monk and disavow all ownership entirely. But this is
just a charade.

I understood your cat-pee analogy, and I think its a good one. Whether its cats
recognizing the scent of urine as a basis for property, or people recognizing
fences as such, it is an arbitrary marker that functions merely because it is
an agreed upon social convention.

To the Indians, property is the antithesis of freedom. Consider the following
example. By the road, on unowned land, is a small pond where I'd stop often
during rides to dip my feet in the water and cool off. Recently, the land was
purchased, and "No Trespassing" signs now surround the lake. My freedom has
actually been diminished. In a world where everything is private property,
where can I go? I am confined to the boundaries of property that I can afford.

We, in this country, have gotten accustomed to witnessing our freedom through
ownership. It is one of the fundamental reasons for the rampant consumerism we
face. "The more you own, the freer you'll be" could easily be the new National
motto. Or, more precisely, as used in the movie They, simply "Consume."

Don't mention "sacrifice", by the way. This is heresy to the doctrine that not
only excuses selfish action, but glorifies it, makes it a Noble Ideal. To
consider others in any ways paints you as a Devil, and Evil Little Man to be
Villified and Ridiculed.

But don't let them bother you, as Pirsig said in ZMM, "that's just right wing
politics". And so it is.

Arlo