[Publib] Liberals vs. Conservatives in Librarianship

[Theresa Grieshaber]

   I have noticed over the years what George Lakoff has described as the "Mommy" approach to government as opposed to the "Daddy" approach to government.  I just wish I had written a book about this  years ago so that I now  would be the one getting all the attention, and not Mr. Lakoff.  Anyway, the Mommy side of government is that side which provides social services to people.  Libraries, health and welfare agencies,  and schools  are examples.  The Daddy side is the side that disciplines people for bad behavior and protects us from bad guys, both foreign and domestic.  Prisons, the police, the district attorney's office, and the military are examples.  

People in public employment tend to gravitate towards that side of government that most closely reflects their their preferred approach to government.  It is not surprising that library folk tend toward the liberal or Mommy side of the aisle.  On the other hand, I have never met anybody in the military or law enforcement who was not a Republican,  or Daddy government type.

Let us not neglect the power of the purse, either, in shaping people's politics.   Both  the Mommy  and Daddy sides know which party,  and which philosophy, is more likely to fund their respective public agencies.   

Theresa Grieshaber
Modesto CA