A proposal. An offer. A chance to unite.

Guns.

Guns and taxes.

Guns and taxes and spending.

Guns and taxes and spending and entitlements.

Guns and taxes and spending and entitlements and free speech.

Guns and taxes and spending and entitlements and free speech and war.

I could continue. But what I already wrote is just a small section of what our government is using to divide us.

White v black.
Rich v poor.
Guns v no guns.
High taxes v low taxes.
Free speech v limited free speech.
War v no war.

Have you noticed how polarized we've become? Hell, I'm just as guilty as the rest. I chose a "side". I'm a mouthy, opinionated SOB.

We're so busy fighting, blogging, tweeting, social media-ing against each other that the politicians just sit back and laugh and ride rough-shod all over us.

Here's my offer.

I propose writing a series of threads co-authored with someone from "the other side". To show what we have in common. A calm, rational approach towards the main topics of the day where we can find common ground. Where we won't be polarized by those in DC and elsewhere.
Threads where we can remove the rhetoric and look empirically at the facts and repercussions of the laws and issues that are passed.

Anyone willing to take up the challenge with me?

reply to post by beezzer


From your thread title, I thought for a moment you were propositioning us inappropriately.

Whew! I am so relieved. Anyhow, I think your notion is a good idea, threads initially constructed with the intent to reasonably look at both sides of the coin and find sensible common ground.

But for most of those divisive issues, there is a right side and a wrong side.

Lower taxes

Smaller government

First Amendment honored

Second Amendment honored

Cut spending

Eliminate entitlements (benefits for people who really NEED them are not 'entitlements')

War only when attacked, as a defensive measure. No more imperialism to maintain the military industrial complex.


That is the RIGHT side. That is not just my opinion, either.


White vs. black doesn't even belong in there. While it is perpetuated as a divisive issue by the government, there is no "side" to be taken.

reply to post by AwakeinNM


Using a rational approach, I hope to find a commonality within these issues.

The problem lies with the fact that people on both sides see themselves as being right and their opposite numbers, wrong.

Hell, maybe I'm totally off base here. But I thought I'd give it a shot.

reply to post by beezzer


It would be even more interesting if the contributors to the discussion were forced to earnestly defend the opposing stance. It may help some to see the valid points of the opposition if they are forced to delve into an honest attempt at defending the points of the opposition.

For example, if I am pro gun control and must do research to make an honest attempt at defending 2nd Amendment rights, it might be illuminating and result in finding some common ground.

reply to post by beezzer


I don't think you're totally off base, Beez. But, the off base trolls won't be able to help themselves. It's a grand proposition, I'll watch from the sidelines...at least for now.

Des

reply to post by beezzer


f&S

however beez, while the intention is a noble one [or perhaps not*]
compromise doesn't always work:
i.e. in any compromising between food and poison
death always wins out.


* divide and conquer,
unite and rule

Originally posted by DerepentLEstranger
reply to post by beezzer

 

f&S

however beez, while the intention is a noble one [or perhaps not*]
compromise doesn't always work:
i.e. in any compromising between food and poison
death always wins out.


* divide and conquer,
unite and rule

edit on 8-1-2013 by DerepentLEstranger because: (no reason given)

Well said. But take gun control issues. The current raison d'être of many here on ATS.

It became inflamed after the tragedy in Sandy Hook and Colorado.

Yet we've all been debating the symptoms and not the cause. The disenfranchisement of the mentally ill.

So there could be middle ground found.

Originally posted by Destinyone
reply to post by beezzer

 

I don't think you're totally off base, Beez. But, the off base trolls won't be able to help themselves. It's a grand proposition, I'll watch from the sidelines...at least for now.

Des

There's always going to be people that can't see the forest through the trees. But maybe we can find some normality somewhere in the middle.

Originally posted by InTheFlesh1980
reply to post by beezzer

 

It would be even more interesting if the contributors to the discussion were forced to earnestly defend the opposing stance. It may help some to see the valid points of the opposition if they are forced to delve into an honest attempt at defending the points of the opposition.

For example, if I am pro gun control and must do research to make an honest attempt at defending 2nd Amendment rights, it might be illuminating and result in finding some common ground.

A good idea. Perhaps something that can be worked into the threads.

Originally posted by beezzer

Originally posted by DerepentLEstranger
reply to post by beezzer

 

f&S

however beez, while the intention is a noble one [or perhaps not*]
compromise doesn't always work:
i.e. in any compromising between food and poison
death always wins out.


* divide and conquer,
unite and rule

edit on 8-1-2013 by DerepentLEstranger because: (no reason given)

Well said. But take gun control issues. The current raison d'être of many here on ATS.

It became inflamed after the tragedy in Sandy Hook and Colorado.

Yet we've all been debating the symptoms and not the cause. The disenfranchisement of the mentally ill.

So there could be middle ground found.

good point there, but i'd also like to point out that it's not just about guns, the whole Natural Right of Self-Defense
is what's truly at stake here and has been so for quite some time.

remember what happens when you beat the crap out school bully, in self defense, of course: you get punished for dealing with the matter yourself and not just taking it passively and going to the school authorities and letting them deal with it; same in many criminal cases where you're expected, by law to wait for the police.

lol i was thinking of Emperor Beezer regarding the "unite and rule "

reply to post by DerepentLEstranger


I agree. The withdraw from individual responsibility for one's own safety has been superceded by the authorities role in the same.

I have argued that aggresivelly. But I got to thinking.

Maybe that's what "they" want. Maybe they want us at each others throats. Maybe we should do the unexpected.

Unite.

(beezzer banner optional)