I feel as strongly as most people do about issues of the day. However, I am saddened by the divisiveness and the extreme rhetoric that is reaching a crescendo in our nation. I feel that the citizens of the United States are aligned in a circular firing squad, ready to shoot. Many people appear to, according to their language, hate others who have a different view than they do. Many in the media seem to have taken sides and fail to report objectively on many stories.
It is difficult for one person to make a difference in such a world but I am going to give it a try. This blog is intended to look at various issues, from both sides, without the inflamed rhetoric and personal attacks. I do hold certain values and have my own opinion. However, I believe both sides of every issue should be given clearly and I will do my best to state them objectively. I hope readers who choose to comment will do so in terms that do not attack other people but clearly state their positions and correct any misunderstandings I may have. I sincerely believe that the majority of the American people are starving for such respectful dialogue. It is my intention to provide a simple presentation that will help people understand
…the citizens of the United States are aligned in a circular firing squad, ready to shoot.
the issues and decide where they stand.
Generally people arrive at a position in several ways.
Facts – It is good to bring facts to a discussion. There are only one set of facts on any topic. Unfortunately some (on both sides) make statements that they claim or believe to be factual when they are not or when they apply so narrowly that it is actually misleading to apply it without a proper explanation. In a good discussion care will be taken about what is presented as factual.
Moral and/or spiritual values – Everyone I know has a set of values that they cling to. In a democratic republic, each person’s values, as long as they don’t involve harming others, can be legitimately included in a discussion. While people may have differences in this area it is helpful to understand these important contributors in forming our opinion. I want to understand why others believe the way they do.
Opinions – It is fine for people to have an opinion that comes from the gut. Hopefully, if that is the sole reason for their opinion, or if their opinion comes solely from a lack of distrust of others, they will be willing to take a moment to listen to other people’s value statements or opinions in addition to facts in the matter.
One thing is certain. Wherever there are two people, on some topics they will disagree. Both may consider themselves patriots. Both may have a strong values basis for their opinion. They may feel that the issue is of great importance. This will never change. This is why I think that our Constitution is the best governing document in the history of the world. These issues can be decided upon through the people’s representatives in the halls of government. Many will be localized within different states and those states don’t always have to handle things the same way.
It is important, however, that we never come to consider one another the enemy. We are nearing that place already. When there, we will destroy our nation from within and both “sides” will lose.
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