Facts Over Feelings

Beware the Language of Consensus
Be wary whenever you hear someone use phrases such as “the larger truth,” “people of goodwill agree,” “real Christians are obligated…,” or “experts agree.” Invariably, this becomes a cover to argue for a political preference versus an accurate reflection of measurable facts.

A Challenge to My Own Side
I am a man of the right, so it is natural for me to focus on where I think the left falls short. There is no doubt in my mind that we are guilty of the same sort of wishful thinking replacing fact. So, please feel free to point out where you believe I am misrepresenting the facts or instances where conservatives are committing the same sins that I am criticizing progressives for evidencing.

Civility Still Matters
A healthy, civilized, and respectful debate is to be welcomed, even relished. Name-calling, performative virtue signaling, and an unwillingness to even consider what the other is saying, on the other hand, are unwelcome.

Minimum Wage and Economic Reality
Various states and localities have taken to the notion that someone working for minimum wage “deserves” to be paid in an amount sufficient to fully sustain them. For starters, when has that ever been the case? Second, each and every time the minimum wage has been increased, jobs have been lost. That is reality. Good intentions do not change things.

What Employers Actually Do
Think for a minute about what you might do, if you were the employer. In the past, the reaction has been to do more with less, since an increase in payroll, unfortunately, does not automatically come with an increase in profit margins. Today, there is an even greater pressure to replace humans with technology. Self-checkout, kiosks at fast food restaurants, etc. all become a better investment than paying someone more than the market can justify. Plus, once you absorb the sunk cost for putting the new technology in place, your cost to maintain it is a fraction of what you would have to pay an employee. So, when you hear some of us warn that mandating an increase in minimum wage, not justified by market conditions, could well be counterproductive, please refrain from labeling us heartless folks.

Illegal Labor and Moral Blind Spots
When we are lectured, immigrants here illegally are doing jobs that Americans will not, there is at least a truth to it. However, in my view, that partial truth comes with some big caveats. Is there any chance this is because those here illegally are not in a position to complain about either wages or work conditions? Isn’t this more along the lines of turning a blind eye to the presence of products at a low price produced by slave labor in China? By what moral standard do Americans have a right to low-priced products and services?
The next time a Big Box store or Agribusiness breaks their arms patting themselves on the back for their kindness and empathy towards those here illegally, do me a favor. Follow the money.

Who Really Pays the Price
When a mandated increase in minimum wage is an amount above what the market justifies, jobs are lost. At the same time, when an employer can increase their margins by paying people less than what the market justifies, it means the employer is gaining an advantage not justified by market conditions. In other words, far too often, workers are being underpaid because those here illegally have little choice in the matter. American workers have even less real choice.

Children and Irreversible Decisions
In the name of “accepting everyone as they are,” we have allowed children to be mutilated, often without the knowledge of their parents. Gender affirming medical treatments and surgeries are an evil now being exposed. Day after day, we hear from those who transitioned and now regret it. Even the doctors know the tide is turning against allowing this transition to occur for minors, with various organizations taking stances against it.

Being the Adults in the Room
Is it possible to believe that overwhelmingly, if not always, when a minor “decides” to transition, it is a very, very loud cry for attention and understanding? That deciding at 14 their biological sex is not their true identity is not something that should allow life-changing medical treatment? By all means, as a society, let’s pay attention to these individuals, but can we be the adults here and draw a line?

Facts Don’t Bend for Feelings
Mandating increases in the minimum wage costs jobs. Allowing employers to get away with underpaying immigrants here illegally hurts American workers, and we do not have a God-given right to low prices. Turning “accepting everyone as they are” into allowing life-changing surgery on children is not a good thing.

A Final Reminder
Remember this: Not every time there is a disagreement between those on the right and those on the left is it a matter of who has their heart in the right place. Everyone needs to appreciate that facts are facts, whether they do or do not support your preferred narrative. What do you think?