What's Really Important The Need For Common Ground
What is important to me is to find some common ground with my fellow Americans, specifically those I strongly disagree with, and in particular where politics and the governing of our nation are concerned. I’ve found it all too seductive to allow anger and blame to cloud my judgment. I’m not saying I’m never correct in my views, but in the present state of extreme national polarization of ideals does it really do any good to be right when others feel equally right, and no one is willing to compromise with the “other side�?
We have indeed become a nation divided, and have been warned about the dangers of such folly by none other than Aesop who first uttered, “United we stand, divided we fall.� At stake: no less than our liberty, freedom, and perhaps our very existence as we presently seem locked in a war of ideology at best, and a struggle for power and wealth at worse.
The noted 19th century historian Lord Acton once stated, "Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end...liberty is the only object which benefits all alike, and provokes no sincere opposition...The danger is not that a particular class is unfit to to govern…Every class is unfit to govern…�
Many people appear unconcerned if the Executive Branch consolidates more power. The Patriot Act, warrantless wire tapping, and the diminishing of the Freedom of Information Act are all such examples. Yet would the same people encouraging this during one administration still support it when another administration (possibly the other party) takes over? Do people understand the consequences of changing the laws to allow more authority to one group in leadership as essentially laying the groundwork for another group (with whom they do not agree) in the future to have the same authority? At risk is not only potential corruption resulting from an imbalance of power, but a threat to freedom itself.
Benjamin Franklin had this in mind when he said, “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.� He was implying that liberties once surrendered are not so easily regained. Freedom has historically been something fought for, because those with power, whether representing a monarchy, dictatorship, or democracy, having once gained more power, are reluctant to give it up. It requires diligence to not allow any freedoms once gained to be easily compromised or usurped. One would think this is common sense, and yet we have witnessed how easily people will relinquish freedoms when they believe they are threatened, feel the need to be protected, and haven’t realized the implied danger of believing security can be purchased with reduced freedom. Although on the surface, and at the time, it appears to make some sense, does it still make sense when you look at it very closely?
The last part of the previous quote by Lord Acton is one most of us are familiar with: “…Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Do we really appreciate what he is saying? I believe it is telling us not to give absolute power to “anyone� at any time or under any circumstance. Our founding fathers knew this when they created the three branches of government as a check and balance on each other. Why then, now, are so many people willing to compromise and be elated that one party dominates all three? Is this a thing any of us should really desire, regardless of our party affiliation?
I understand that people in this nation have ideologies, goals and desires for the nation that coincide with what they believe, but this is no reason to throw common sense and all restraint out the window. Checks and balances exist for a reason: mainly to act as a check and balance (doh!) on obsessive action in one direction which will result in polarity and imbalance. I hate to state the obvious, but so many don’t seem to “get it.�
An appropriate example is the present day challenge to the concept of the “separation of church and state.� Katherine Harris recently implied separation of church and state is “a lie.� Technically it is correct that the phrase “separation of church and state� does not appear in the Constitution, but Thomas Jefferson did mention this concept in a letter to a group in Connecticut, mentioning a “wall of separation between Church and State.� It seems obvious to me what he had in mind, yet people will still adhere to this technicality and insist Jefferson should be accepted in one instance, and ignored in another. That’s called “convenient.�
People are missing one possible outcome when they believe the government should be influenced by their own religious morality: basically, that situations change. If another religion were to eventually become more influential, would they still insist there be no separation between church and state?
It can be extremely difficult to accept the views of another when they are seemingly in contradiction to our own, yet can we ever be sure that we are so right in every aspect of a thing that it requires no opposite to keep it balanced? This is a tough one. Even the most open-minded might at times have a tendency to focus on what they consider “right� to the exclusion of all else. This usually occurs after they believe they have exhausted all the possibilities and have arrived at what must be the solution. Yet how long does this one solution remain true with time when, and after, other circumstances have begun to change?
One thing is obvious. We must find common ground once again.
Comments
Just a brief comment for now: As we have seen daily, fellow chatters call people names at the very mention of anything against Bush.
My response when they speak from left or right sides is “It takes two wings to fly just as it takes all people to come together in politics to unite in enough ways to be on the same side or we die.�
My shortened statement has always been just a retort: “It takes two wings to fly.� - A true statement. We are the eagle I believe. But then you and I are also in the spiritual arena that is what makes us want peace, honesty or humility in the seat of power.
I shall never give up “I am.� Good subject.
Benitar
Posted by: BENITA | September 15, 2006 08:07 PM
"When you come to the edge of all you know, you must believe one of two things: There will be Earth to stand on, or you will be given wings to Fly."
Thanks Steve
Posted by: Mark Tedsen | September 15, 2006 09:19 PM
Seems our lack of common ground is due to our lack of any shared basic beliefs that define(d) us as Americans. To me, torture is not acceptable, we have a right to a fair trial, privacy, etc. Let's not even start with separation of church and state. But if we can't even agree on that, how can we negotiate solutions or even agree to disagree in a civil and (dare I say) democratic manner? Given that our rulers have a direct connection to god that we do not, seems the only way to meet in the middle is to shut up or face the consequences. The simplistic, 'you're either with us or you're one of 'them' label is the order of the day. Might makes right, and besides, if you're not doing anything wrong, why should you worry about wire taps? Forgive the cynicism, it's one thing that reminds me I haven't lost my mind entirely. At least I think so... I think this situation is more like a centipede than a bird.
Posted by: beanie | September 16, 2006 03:12 PM
Stephen, excellent subject to bring up. I have many friends on the opposite side of the fence, politically. I have tried to reach to them., by having an open-minded discourse about our present administration. But so far, to no avail. Even when presented with facts from Pres. Bush's own mouth., they argue and cry, "foul.. traitor".
Why don't they understand that we want basically the same rights and liberties for our people and country., we just differ on how. We must stand together, learn to compromise with eachother and learn tollerance.
I have included three quotes that I believe speak volumes about how our forefathers felt about how our country should be governed.
The first is by Thomas Jefferson, he speaks of the necessity of removing a government that has become too long established and corrupted.
"Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established, should not be changed for light and transient causes; and, accordingly, all experience [has] shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But, when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce [the people] under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security." --Thomas Jefferson: Declaration of Independence, 1776. ME 1:29, Papers 1:429
The second qoute is from James Madison, the principal drafter of the BIll Of Rights..., and speaks on the seperation of Church and State...I think you'll like it.
James Madison, the principal drafter of the Bill of Rights, often wrote of "total separation of the church from the state" (1819 letter to Walsh); "Strongly guarded . . . is the separation between religion and government in the Constitution of the United States.", and he declared "practical distinction between Religion and Civil Government as essential to the purity of both, and as guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States" (1811 letter to Baptist Churches). Ulysses S. Grant also called for Americans to "Keep the church and state forever separate."
The third is from Teddy Roosevelt concerning criticism and true patriotism.
"To announce that there must be no criticism of the president ... is not
only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American
public." Theodore Roosevelt, 1918
I agree completely with these three noble gentlemen, and I hope more people will see that the path this administration is leading our country is one that will not only lead to the destruction of our freedoms and liberties.. but also of our country that is founded on these principles...
God Bless,
Kate
Posted by: Katerina | September 17, 2006 01:58 PM
Stephen, I know in my heart that we have to find a Common Ground, but my mind says not yet. There's far too much noise and interference out there for reasonable dialogue, at this point. I think the only way we'll find the quiet time for compromise is when the drums beating fear and terror are silenced, and some kind of barrier is erected to stop this administration from rolling over this country, its people and its Constitution. My gut tells me the only way for that to happen is for one or both chambers of Congress to be controlled by ANYBODY other than rubber-stamping Republicans, and I believe that will only happen by mobilizing Democrats, independents and people who haven't voted for incumbents, to get out and vote AGAINST the Republican party. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I don't have anything against Republicans, per se, except that they've made a mess of choosing their leaders. So, hopefully I'll catch up to you sometime soon Stephen, but, for now, I'm headed for the Battle Ground.
As a footnote, I learned this afternoon that Arlen Specter has introduced legislation, with pressure from Dick Cheney, that will justify the illegal wiretapping this administration has conducted. It will gut FISA, will prevent legal challenges from taking place in an open court and "immunize" anybody who broke the law from being held accountable in the future. Is this an insurance policy should the Democrats gain control of the House and start exercising some oversight?
~~ dougt
Posted by: dougt | September 18, 2006 08:07 PM
Doug, I don't disagree with you. I found myself idealizing what should be and necessarily must be at some point. I agree with you that at present there will be no common ground with enough people to reach some critical mass; not at least, while there are too many who just prefer to be right over finding the truth. But, we must start wherever and whenever we can connect with another with whom we have disagreed, and yet, can establish some areas of agreement.
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Katerina, thanks for those quotes. I believe more people need to become aware of exactly where our Founding Fathers, and some former presidents, stood on the principles defining our freedoms and their preservation.
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Beanie you are right on the button as usual, and Benita and Mark you speak with wisdom!
Posted by: Stephen Rose | September 18, 2006 10:20 PM
Well...maybe the common ground is that we all agree on what's really important, if you look at it the right way. I think we all agree that education is really important; a good economy is really important; healthcare is really important; a national defense is really important; and our individual liberty is really important. So important that we hold strong views.
Maybe what's missing is respect for other points of view. As strongly as you might believe in one approach to something that's really important, it's hard to admit that somebody else might feel equally strongly about a different approach. If we realize that the underlying Thing That Really Matters *is* being dealt with constructively, even if it is in a way that you might not agree with, I think it changes a discussion from antagonism to "how can something that we're doing be done better?"
Posted by: Nadrew | September 20, 2006 03:00 PM
Nadrew, I agree most of us believe the issues you mentioned are important. The real challenge has been finding common ground on the solutions. At present, the nation seems to stand at opposite poles when it comes to the problem solving.
Many want national healthcare, many don't. Some think national security includes invading Iraq, while others see it as a major liability. Some believe the economy is strong when the stock market looks good, but this benefits mostly the well-to-do, and people that “can� invest in the market. Meanwhile, there many more who live from paycheck to paycheck, cannot work enough jobs in a week to pay their obligations, and are using credit cards to pay for necessities. There are those who believe liberty can be sacrificed for security, while others definitely do not.
It’s not enough to agree on what is important; the divide is coming from many thinking the “Thing That Really Matters� is “not� being dealt with constructively. How do we address that issue? I understand that half the nation (and perhaps more judging from the popularity ratings of the present administration) has disagreed on so many things the present leadership is doing that it starts to look only like a bash-fest.
Yet, there has extensive dialogue on exactly what they disagree with and how it should have been done. Example: One of the arguments accompanying the criticism of the president’s Iraq policy is that Iraq was not pertinent to this “war on terrorism� but has fueled it; we should have stuck with Afghanistan , now crumbling again, and kept after Al Qaeda as the main focus. Also, many critiquing the Bush and economic policies have objected to the consolidation of power of large corporations and the outsourcing of middle class jobs. Part of their solution: namely, don’t allow this.
I realize sometimes we just hear the bashing, but other solutions have been offered and ignored in my opinion. I believe the bashing is further encouraged because the only opinions that seem to have mattered are those from the people in power. I honestly do not believe this administration has been receptive to open debate. We have a president that says he loves to hear other opinions, and invites them, but when all is said and done, he ignores them. He has recently told us “it is not acceptable to think� in a certain way, that way of course, being contrary to his belief. And, he said this in reference to an opinion expressed by Colon Powell of all people.
I’m in total agreement with you that we need to interject into the dialogue "how can something that we're doing be done better?" Yet, when the nation is polarized as it is at present, with the only real agreement being that the other side is totally wrong, how do we proceed? I’d love to hear some suggestions. We desperately need some that will work.
Posted by: Stephen Rose | September 20, 2006 05:02 PM
I said my first one would be short. Tonight as I sit with the weather growing cold, and blue skies quite grey, I find I must be again simple in what I say.
After the meetings this last few days among the tops of all governments, I find my heart chakra ailing. I have always predicted the future, and then stopped when the things on my list came true. When Jack Benny died, I had this horrible feeling of anquish; he looked just like my father.
I felt guilty like I had chosen for him to die...silly I know...I did write columns for awhile, including one in the local government paper.
Steve, we have talked of all this coming, and sometimes getting angry at things the way they are. Bush took us into the position of invaders. No one asked us there. Now thousands have died. It is clear now that we are hated by the world, and every middle eastern country, and have been deemed ruled by Satan, and another called him a Hitler. On this day, this week in history, the world has spoken out loud. Our demise is around us. America was always an admired country, the salvation form of government rule.
We are now spit upon by all Islam; all countries who can control our future. They have stepped forward and said so. When Venezula spoke, it became clear how much we depended on them for our oil supply. I just found that out today.
You basically know how I feel about this journey in this lifetime. The Spirit gets broken when we want to see light, and must fight through the darkness.
Make it simple? What is important?
Now, our soldiers walked into a false war and thousands have died because Bush thinks God spoke to him. All the countries, have turned their anger towards us and we are guilty somehow, that all of those we supposedly (yah sure) went to battle .... have JUST BECOME THE TARGETS. THEY HAVE DECLARED WAR ON OUR SOLDIERS. HOW FAIR IS THAT? That path has also taken our freedoms, our choices away. Like savages we are in a religious war that we should not have started.
What is important tonight?
Getting our soldiers out of a war that should not have been.
What is important to me, being ill as I am, is still having the little things that make us safe, and whole. Children going to school to learn, and not the hatred we are seeing right here now with all the illegals here...we need to drink of fresh water, and eat fresh food...but...in a second a contaminate sprayed by the enemy can kill thousands. Breathing air, that is not poisoned...for even our military has used us as guinea pigs...we know that.
The holy days come shortly, and we begin a new year...
What can we do but fear for our own people here in America, in Israel, and around the world. We are hated again in mass.
What is important is allowing me my spiritual faith, upon the Jewish fate we were born into...
Too many questions Steve, and no truth coming back. I know in my heart that the visions I saw so long ago, again are coming true...I am frightened for the good people. I am frightened for the sick and the elderly...bodies will be found everywhere...and by virtue of our soldiers dying from those we supposedly gave freedom...yah sure...our own dead are a target now in motion that we cannot change.
The opinions of the world have weighed in....
No one can hear us screaming for the madness to stop…
How can one man of greed who could never hold a job be given the power to rule?
WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS TO TRY AND SPIRITUALLY REACH EACH OTHER SO WE ARE NOT ALONE. WE NEED THE ILLEGALS GONE, UNLESS THEY WANT TO SPEAK ENGLISH, AND BEGCOME CITIZENS. THEY ARE PROTESTING IN GREAT NUMBERS HOW WE SHOULD LIVE HERE...
In my soul of God, we must blend together, care for each other...for what comes we must have strength, because it will take that as we become a planet with two suns, and perhaps two moons.
God Bless you all who read this. If you are posting here, you want what I want, and we are having to grasp it as it slips away.
Walk with me in the garden of spirit and light, where we each can pray as we like. Let us have our eyes open, and listen to spirit and connect somehow with knowing that we have lived before, and have knowledge within this molecular cell structure called a body of man....
This isn't quite what you had in mind Steve...but it is the answer that is clear tonight.
SHALOM...MAY THE NEW YEAR BRING LIGHT....
Humbly,
Benita
Posted by: BENITA | September 20, 2006 11:17 PM