Inclusive vs Exclusive
I have been bemused by this right-wing left-wing model all summer. Reading the news, following the Canadian miserable political system, following the US election debate, travelling to war-torned countries in the Baltics and the Balkans, and reading various crazy books . I have been trying to make some sense of the big 'why'. I devote quite a bit of time to this, I feel it is hard to go ahead without understanding the underlying issues. By lifting the rocks I often uncovered more questions than answers. I also faced my own limits: lack of education in history, philosophy, psychology, and lack of time. I tried different paths, and almost even convinced myself along the way that right-wing people must simply be dummer. Though Bush' looks and remarks tend to reinforce that case, I cannot run a worldwide IQ test and match it to political aspirations and it probably won't help anyway.

In Denmark, this oh-so-well organised and socialist country, it is easy to take pity for the poor and the hopeless. Chances are, you will meet the same ones often; the Chinese guy who picks up the empty bottles at Nyhavn, the guy without an arm who asks for change in the train, the old man with his big dog and his caddy covered with Danish flags, or the black guy playing piano (yes a real piano). I meet them once a week. In Rome, I felt there were so many I stopped caring and voluntarily turned a blind eye.

Fundamentally, I think this is what makes the difference. Do you prefer to live in an inclusive society or do you agree to live in an exclusive one? Is it okay to turn a blind eye? Is it ok to defend a system simply because we benefit from it? Is it ok to become much richer than others at their own expense? Should we give anything to the poor and the "hopeless"? Or should we
1) let them die in the streets (India?)
2) give them the chance to risk their life for their country in exchange for food and education (US)
3) pay some charities to distribute free food - but still let them die outside in the winter (Canada)
4) give them money and support to make them feel part of society and allow them some human dignity (Denmark)?

Unfortunately, the rich are always sold to the institution that makes them rich. Morality and humanity often disappears with wealth.