|
Letter: Constructive discussions of government?
Op-Ed · May 18, 2017
How can we change our campaign, debate, and town hall styles to give space to all angles of an issue, and value long-term pragmatic goals more than “ideals”?
How can we move discussion beyond principles onto goals? How do we move debate into actual conversations about valuing just and fair management of our common needs more than philosophies?
The town hall is no longer a viable manner in which to exchange ideas. Our frustrations are belittled, with no effort to respectfully ask us personally about our motivations and goals. When we send polite letters and emails, with specific questions and concerns, we are sent back talking points, and again, no questions about why we think our concerns might be valid. Conversation requires curiosity and I see none.
Ms. Clinton received more individual votes than did the electoral college winner, yet lost, but the jubilation on the conservative side has not been tempered by the understanding that several constituencies, with different focuses, made their win possible.
I see, instead, an eagerness to construe the win as a wholesale validation by nearly half of this election’s voters, of each and every policy and philosophical value of conservatism. This simply was not the case.
One way or another, most of us voted for an elusive, and undefined “change.”
For those who are not dedicated to one “side” or the other, the GOP candidate offered the only move away from current status quo.
Going forward, as imperfect people and communities, not capable of the perfectionist goals of ideals and ideology, how do we constructively discuss government’s role in managing our common needs?
Laura Twing
Tipton
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
