R-E-S-P-E-C-T: The Only Way to Find Solutions
We have become a nation sharply divided, but not so much as it seems. Pondering Election Day made me realize that Americans of all extremes have a great deal of common ground despite our passionately held convictions. In fact, the source of our passions is mostly the same: We want what’s best for everyone.
America is a nation rich in resources. One of our finest is the compassion of her citizens for anyone helpless or struggling. Liberals and Conservatives see different paths for addressing those needs.
We’re all in the same boat, and it has a big leak. We can get out of this mess, but we’re going to need to quit using the oars to bash each other and take turns rowing and bailing.
Although a few people seem to believe our resources are infinite, most Americans realize we can’t keep spending borrowed money much longer. But deciding where to limit spending is like deciding who gets control of the remote. No one wants to give theirs up. It is going to take some thoughtful negotiating to work through this family dispute.
Meaningful discussion would go a long way toward healing the nation. It would indicate genuine concern for the welfare of Americans now and later. It will require laying aside presumptions about constituencies and accusations about motives. But it must happen soon or we will all suffer, the poor more than the wealthy.
America was the land of opportunity long before the government began increasing its scope by spending its way into our school districts, medical care and charitable causes. The source of opportunities is not government funding, it is the determination and compassion of the American people. It would be wonderful if everyone could have a perfect life from cradle to grave, but no amount of spending will provide that. No amount of money or government oversight has ever built Utopia, but some pretty major disasters have occurred when governments intervened in economic and personal matters in attempts to do so.
Somehow we forget the value of substantive clash of ideas and substitute the flash of bickering. Media attention leads to the visibility politicians need to win elections. Controversy gets Media attention. Respectful discussion isn’t exciting, so it has been lost in the fog of Media blitzes. Rush Limbaugh and The View both make extreme statements in order to gain the audience share. Each may claim they argue soundly—but do they? Do we as an audience take time to question their assertions? Do we have the tools to tell legitimate arguments from fallacious ones?
Sunshine on budget discussions will help best if followed by negative voter responses to fallacious arguments. Benjamin Franklin said, “It is the first responsibility of every citizen to question authority.” Each citizen needs to question the assumptions behind the arguments we hear. Encourage individual politicians you believe you can trust to use sound, civil argumentation and work respectfully; to look ahead together.
Change won’t come overnight, but just as a flood begins with a single raindrop we can choose to begin a healing rain one conversation and one issue at a time.
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