"No labels" gimmick. Another warm, fuzzy, sneaky euphemism for selling out.

There's a new gimmick in town.  Repubs, Dems and Independents coming together to form a "No Label" group for a sane approach to politics;  sounds like the Sanity Rally.  They are to put their differences aside for the sake of the country;  sounds like the One Nation Rally.  The only thing missing is the coffee to make it a party - Coffee Party.  I think these Democrats give the people too little credit to see them coming a mile away.

Labels ascribe identity.  Identity is defined by a vision and mission.  A vision and mission is accomplished in a consistent way i.e. principles.  Having no labels means not having any of these.  It is yet another way to blur, confuse and obfuscate.  Leave that to the fans who would support certain idols - be it right or wrong.

For a reasonable approach to fixing the mess, one needs clear and distinct ideas because, ideas guide action.  And ideas have names or labels.  Take for instance Conservatives vis-a-vis Leftists.

"Conservatives understand that the system of capitalism is the greatest engine of wealth creation the world has ever known. They don't think profit is a dirty word. Leftists argue that feelings, not the bottom line, should be the motivating factor in all of life's decisions.

Conservatives believe that a man's fate is determined by the life choices he makes. Leftists believe if they're not successful, its because racist capitalists are hogging all the wealth. And that's not fair!

Conservatives know that life isn't fair and never will be. Leftists think that it should be, and that if you vote for them, they can legislate fairness. After they redefine it.

Conservatives know that throwing money at a problem usually ends up making the problem worse. Leftists believe that money can solve any problem. Preferably someone else's money.

Conservatives believe Thomas Sowell's assertion that there are no solutions - there are only trade-offs. Leftists believe that there are still free lunches, that rights trump responsibilities, and victims are more 'valid' than producers. And if you don't agree, you're just a big ol' meanie.

Conservatives applaud merit. Leftists applaud intentions. Conservatives believe words have meanings. Leftists believe they have the right to redefine whatever words they care to.

Leftists believe if a theory looks good on paper, it will work. Conservatives understand that reality doesn't work that way, except in ivory towers.

Conservatives know that, these days, government is the problem. Leftists believe more government is the solution. And they will willingly create and/or exacerbate a crisis in order to prove it. (See link)

Conservatives believe in accountability, that actions speak louder than words. Leftists have succumbed to the herd mentality that sanctions bad behavior as long as it is done in the name of whichever leftist policy is most popular, be it global warming or the belief that everything bad that happens to the Obama administration is George Bush's fault.
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Conservatives believe in individual rights, not group rights. They know that leftist words like 'social justice,' diversity', and multiculturalism, whose meanings are purely subjective, are used to divide, instill guilt, and put conservatives in the impossible position of having to spend their lives proving a negative.

Most conservatives believe in the rule of God. Leftists prefer the rule of man. As long as they are the man.

Leftists believe that life is a zero sum game. If someone wins, that means that someone has lost. They believe there are only so many pieces of the pie and the more pie someone has means someone out there has less. Conservatives know that this is just not so.

Conservatives are more inclined to do what they feel is right, even when no-one is looking. Leftists prefer to have their compassion recorded, preferably by TV cameras.

Leftists actually believe that world peace is possible. And the only thing standing in the way are those darn conservatives who have earned more money than they have a right to. Conservatives meanwhile, know that the utopia the left envisions is neither realistic nor possible. Thus they focus their efforts on more attainable goals, like making a living, raising their families and contributing to their communities.

Conservatives know that, no matter how thin the pancake, there are always two sides. Leftists have been taught that their side is the only legitimate side and any other point of view is invalid because it is motivated solely by hate, racism, homophobia, or greed. End of story."   quoted from Source

Certain people fear labels or names because it unmasks them.  They prefer to be in the dark.  But that does not work as, "They are known by their actions as a tree is known by its fruit."

Video: Kantian ethics in 3 minutes.

Ethics is that branch of philosophy that deals with morality.  It treats the subject using reason alone; it does not consider the perspective of  religion or faith.  The video presents Kant's thoughts in a bite, but it is food for thought nonetheless.  If video fails, go to http://divine-ripples.blogspot.com/2010/07/video-kantian-ethics-in-3-minutes.html

Do you know your identity - beyond external descriptions?

Aristotle taught, “Know thyself.” That classical precept stands as the cornerstone of mental health and consequently life itself.  Knowing who one is determines what one will do. Agere sequitur esse. Action follows being. Knowing oneself determines one’s relations. If you know who you are, then you will know who you want to be with.

One can answer this question in a scientific, empirical or existential way with biology and history - your DNA and family tree. Those include sex, race, ethnicity, IQ, physical abilities or challenges, emotional profiles or temperament and even pre-neurotic tendencies or predominant passions of sensuality, complacency or timidity. Ancient labels e.g. Sanguine, Choleric, Phlegmatic and Melancholic or more contemporary classifications from Myers-Briggs e.g. Extravert, Intuitive, Thinker, Perceptor describe these innate tendencies, preferences, styles and interests.

From the innate to the external or environmental are other factors that can define or form who one is. It is based on wealth, heritage, education, culture, class, caste, nationality, religion, economic system and socialization. From the view of forming the person, it can be simplified as nurture.

Finally, the “will” or self-determination can make one all that one can be – overcoming natural handicaps and situational obstacles. One can change nature and nurture to some extend and become whoever one wishes to become. But that displaces the answer from who are you to whom did you become?

Another way to approach this is philosophically i.e. from ultimate causes unlike science that consider immediate causation. One will consistent essences rather than particular existence. Cogito ergo sum. I think therefore I am. I am not a rock but a rational life. Then, I have the seeds of eternity planted in my desires – an indication that I am to live forever and because of that, I transcend my bodily shell. I have a spiritual component in me. That spark is a trace of my beginning and eternal existence.

Who am I? A spark from an eternal flame meant to sparkle forever. A being higher than dolphins and chimps because I share something divine. I have a name, a unique identity. I am a creature but unlike whales, I share the life of my Creator and to Whom I shall eventually find myself. Now I have an idea – as Plato would explain how we recall our perfect selves in that world of ideas.

What works is to combine the essential with the existential. That will bring some concreteness to ground the abstraction, a body to house the spirit. Who am I? An incarnate spirit, born with specific DNA, nurtured with historical experiences and have becoming and is still becoming by personal choices.   I am a divine ripple.