Finger-pointing
In rhetorical parlance, finger-pointing is the act of attempting to affix blame for something on another party. It typically also carries the connotation of a denial of responsibility on the part of the accuser. Frequently, the accusations leveled are unfair in nature. [1]
Liberal Finger-Pointing
Finger-pointing is a characteristically [liberal] behavior pattern. When a problem exists, the first impulse of liberals is frequently to find a way to deny blame for that problem, and to affix that blame on [conservatives] or conservative principles. This occurs despite the fact that many of the problems were clearly the result of liberal positions, values, or policies. For example, liberals frequently accuse conservatives of being [fascists], despite the fact that liberals have consistently demanded a more powerful, more intrusive federal government and conservatives have consistently opposed this. Likewise, liberals accuse conservatives of not valuing education, despite the fact that liberal educational policies (such as [whole-language instruction], [grade inflation], and [social promotion]) have led to a decline in learning and academic performance.
Conservatives, by contrast, accept responsibility for their own actions. Moreover, they tend to focus on how to fix a problem, rather than on finding someone to blame.
Examples of Liberal Finger-Pointing
- Former Vice President [Al Gore] frequently points the finger at conservatives, industry, and America in general for [global warming]--despite the fact that he has repeatedly been observed engaging in the sort of behavior he condemns.
- Liberal Democrats repeatedly condemned President [George W. Bush] for economic problems beyond the power of the President to control--but refused to give him credit for the positive results of his policies.