[quote=FlyerInHi]I’m not Jewish but I consider myself an honorary Jew.
I think that key word here is “educated.” The same statement applies to academics, Asian Americans, tech employees in Silicon Valley, educated clusters such as RTP/Raleigh-Durham, university towns such as Austin, Bloomington, Ann Arbor, Princeton.., populations in coastal urban centers, etc…[/quote]
I had started to post something about the Jewish intellectual tradition the other day, but decided against it because I thought it would be too controversial. But, since you’ve put it out there…I agree.
As far as political leanings being an inborn trait, I would agree, but think it’s more about empathy than it is about the desire to keep things as they are, though that’s part of the issue, as well. It requires a ton of empathy to have consideration for those beneath you on the power/wealth/status scale, and to want them to move up to where you are, or higher, on that scale. IMO, people who are more empathetic tend to be more liberal, and those who are more less empathetic/jealous of their status in life (true jealousy, as distinct from envy) tend to lean more conservative.
While jealousy and the desire to attain a dominant position and to remain on top are perfectly natural human emotions (and probably necessary for survival, especially in more primitive times), the extent of this empathy/lack of empathy for others is likely at the root of our political/sociological differences.
And I believe that it takes a certain intellectual perspective to be able to truly appreciate another person’s lot in life — especially if it’s very different from one’s own — and to have empathy for them…leading to a true desire to see them attain a higher socio-economic/power status that might feel more “threatening” to those already at the top.
