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After each national election, one has to wonder if the political landscape could get any meaner or tougher than the previous years.
One only has to listen to the news on radio or television or read most any news publication to see how aggressively topics are discussed. One article I read, and which I initially agreed with, was suggesting that when discussing issues with family and friends, we should be focusing on what we agree on rather than arguing over or debating about topics where we had a strong differing
opinion.
But by the time I finished the piece, I found myself bothered by something. I found myself thinking that we needed to go a little further than was emphasized in that article.
I was thinking what a sad commentary on society if we just stick to topics in which the parties agree on because we cannot have civil, thoughtful conversation on those topics where there is disagreement.
There are so many issues in this world — many of which are talked about almost endlessly by politicians, written about by the press, and discussed on television, radio, and podcasts. These include things such as immigration, the border, leadership, drugs and alcohol, driving habits, abortion, education, the economy, sexual issues, energy and so many other topics.
Why is it that these issues cannot be discussed? Why cannot people discuss these things in a calm, respectful manner? Have we really gotten to the point that many/most of us in our society cannot discuss things without each side approaching the discussion as though it were some sort of debate?
We all realize now that politics has gotten to the point where winning is the only thing that matters for many, but not all, of our politicians.
Everything has to be a debate with each side speaking louder and louder and frequently talking over the other person.
Has this form of discussion now moved from our politicians to everyone? Is there any option for discussing a topic where all parties have some or even a strong disagreement with others?
I believe that there is.
Whether it is the holidays or not, with family members, friends or others, and whether we are talking about nuclear weapons, immigration, energy or every other controversial topic, we should be able to have a calm, respectful conversation.
Maybe the conversation about a topic just focuses on what the specific issue or problem is. Maybe the conversation evolves into a discussion about what people believe are possible solutions — even with both sides totally disagreeing with the other side’s recommended solution.
Some believe we should be able to find some level of agreement or some common ground on about every issue no matter how controversial. But not every discussion needs to end in a compromise.
We can disagree completely on, for example, the legalization of psychedelics as being recently proposed by a few states, whether abortion should be performed in the case of incest or rape, and so many other issues.
As a civilized society, must it so often boil down where one’s opinion has to be expressed much louder than another or talking down to others or not really interested in listening to others?
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There are no doubt times when some of these issues become very emotional to discuss and those times are understandable.
For example, if one’s child is killed by a person who has been in and out of prison for their entire adult lives, that parent would likely be extremely emotional over the death of their child and might feel very strongly that the killer should never be let out of jail ever again.
You would not blame the parent for being very strongly and loudly vocal about how they feel the killer should be treated.
When it is a situation that has a strong, personal impact on one’s life or a member of their family, we can understand very emotional responses. Other than these types of situations, we should be able to intelligently discuss issues including their causes, affects, and possible solutions — at all times, including holidays.
We do not have to act like we are politicians running for office or debating challengers.
We do not have to, as the expression goes, get in one’s face.
Let’s discuss clean water and air and things of that nature.
But let’s also find a way we can discuss all issues with others, even if we strongly disagree with the other person.
But let’s do so in a respectful manner.