This is a brief attempt to define the rules we all live by, as gleaned from my readings and viewings of current politics and media. They are not all the rules, just a handful that apply to Money and Religion.
I expect to do a version on Sex and Politics eventually.
Money and religion are, I know, among the things we must never discuss in public... so of course we, as a society, spend most of our time talking about little else. Even if it's only in a sort of coded patois. Most of our discussion about money and religion is, of course, to scream about how everyone else gets them wrong.
Rules about money:
Its impossible to know where to put a "fair" limit on profits for rich people, so we must not ever, ever, even try (or even think about it or suggest it might be possible or reasonable!).
It's always possible to know what limits to put on the wages of poor people: Zero. Anything else is an unfair limit on the profits of the rich. Any wage above zero is an un-earned gift from the rich to the poor.
When rich people sign a contract for salaries and benefits, it's as sacred as the Bible and cannot ever be renegotiated down or voided even if their actions cause the company or state to lose money or fail completely.
When poor people sign a contract for salaries and benefits it can always be renegotiated DOWN or voided, even if the company or state is profitable (especially if the company or state is profitable). It must not ever be renegotiated UP, even when it's time to renegotiate; that's socialism.
When rich people form a group to maximize their benefits and income it is a glorious victory for capitalism. These groups are called boards of directors, capital management committees, and chambers of commerce.
When poor people form a group to maximize their benefits and income it is a communist plot to overthrow the very fabric of society. These groups are called unions.
Rules about religion:
Religion is what I say it is. Only I get to talk about religion, if you try, I am insulted and must be placated. Not placating my hurt feelings is cause for all out war.
Calling Thor, Jupiter, or any God I don't believe in a myth is perfectly sensible. Calling MY God or religion a myth is cause for all out war.
I am "religious" and my faith must never be questioned. Doing so is cause for all out war.
You follow a false God or doctrine. I can always question your faith. Objecting to my questioning your faith is cause for all out war.
If you are an atheist, you are not allowed to say so. That is insulting to all people of faith everywhere and cause for all out war. In this, we people of faith are in lockstep agreement!
Only conservative faith is real faith. Religious liberals are a joke (or a myth). Disagreeing or suggesting that liberals aren't anti-God is cause for all out war.
"God said I can," is a perfectly reasonable excuse for anything. No proof is required. Unless YOU do something in the name of God. Then you are crazy and God said I can declare all out war.
Religion must never be discussed in public. People's feelings get hurt. Unless I choose to talk about religion. Then you are required to listen respectfully and not question me. Being disrespectful or questioning what I say is cause for all out war.
We must always be respectful of other people's faith. Unless their religion is just silly in which case they are a loony and can be summarily disrespected out of hand. Only I get to decide what is silly. Defending your silly religion is cause for all out war.
Yes I know these rules are mostly just different ways to say the same thing over an over. How is this different from any other religious discussion? Clearly, it's time to declare all out war.
What are these rules mostly about? Hypocrisy, pure and simple. It has become de riguer, in modern America, for everyone to talk about their own rights, grievances, oppression, perfection, holiness, and overall superiority while demanding all sorts of special privileges for themselves and their group because they and only they are the REAL Americans. While at the very same time, decrying the horribleness of nearly every other American and trying to deny them their rights and abrogate any privileges they might enjoy or feel they deserve whether those rights or privileges interfere with your own or not.
Only one side (mine) can be allowed to win and losing is not an option even if it means destroying everything for everyone in the process.
The one rule that seems to apply everywhere these days is: We cannot ever live in peace as equals.