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Paul Blousteins July 15 letter (Which party has the power to bend minds?) contains so many tired myths of the right, its hard to know where to begin. So Ill try to meet myth with fact:

Liberals prize independence, fending for ourselves, and self-respect every bit as much as conservatives. We do disagree, however, with the contention that the federal governments efforts to help and protect the people are oppressive.

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Every single inhabitant of this country accepts help from the federal government that is, from his or her fellow citizens every single day. Ten minutes spent reviewing what federal money is spent on utterly explodes the idea that some are more independent or self-reliant than others. We are all in this together.

When liberals describe the current economy as unfair, they are not demonizing; they are saying the economy is unfair. Nor do academics like Jeffrey D. Sachs think they are better than Bloustein or that he is evil for liking Ronald Reagan.

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There are millions of well-meaning Americans who think the Reagan administration was a disaster for America for very sound reasons. I honor Blousteins right to disagree, but I deeply resent his insinuation that our opinions are based not on facts but on animosity.

Bob Binstock

Cambridge

See original here:
In views of liberals and conservatives, can we steer clear of the animosity vortex? - The Boston Globe