SEEKING COMMON GROUND

We are embarking on a new year, a time for new beginnings. May each of us pledge to be kinder, to hear without insisting that we are listened to first, and to open our minds and hearts to other viewpoints without passing judgment on who is right and wrong.

I am a member of a book club composed of retired professional women with progressive views. We have discussed the possibility of meeting with women in our fair city from the right side of the political spectrum. Although we are aware of being outnumbered, we firmly believe we share some core values, such as our country and love for our families. We wish to provide a format to discuss shared values, as polarization has become so extreme that people of opposing views are afraid to talk to each other.

Bringing people together has been on my mind for a while and was first brought to my attention months ago by a friend who has lived here for many years. We were both frustrated that political signs were being stolen or defaced and wondered what would drive people to behave in such a manner. We kept replacing the sign while noting at the same time that a nearby political sign of his opponent remained untouched.

I have served on several non-political boards for the past two years and have been an active member of several political organizations. Several months ago, I was warned that I would be ostracized if I continued my political activities. I likely did not miss being at the party if I had not been invited to parties due to my political leanings. Contrary to the warning, I experience friendliness from everyone I encounter in Horseshoe Bay. There is so much more to each one of us than political affiliation. 

One of the local (non-political) boards I serve is composed of people on the other side of politics. While we tease each other about our respective political positions, we genuinely like and respect each other. Last week, a fellow board member asked me if I would have a political debate with him. He had negative experiences with Democrats in that the discussions would invariably end with name-calling by the Democrats. I immediately responded, "Oh, really? That's exactly what happens to me when I've entered into political discussions with Republicans!"

Consider the following discussion points: Perhaps there are too many people abusing entitlement programs. Perhaps some people have claimed disability but are fully capable of working. We should increase job-training programs and provide childcare while receiving training to get off public assistance. When people become too dependent on the government, they lose initiative and motivation. Perhaps we have become too lax on illegal immigrants, mainly since most people entered the country "legally" but overstayed their visas. If we cause chaos and crime in other countries due to our perpetual hunger for illegal drugs, our immigration policies should be more compassionate toward those suffering. We've given too many tax breaks to corporations while they take their money and businesses to other countries. We may need to close tax loopholes. People live longer, so they may postpone collecting Social Security until they are 70. The CEOs of pharmaceutical and insurance companies don't need $10-20 million a year in salaries, while people requiring medications or insurance coverage are forced into bankruptcy. Perhaps healthcare companies should be non-profit with limits on wages at the top of those organizations. Most agree that there should be term limits, limits on campaign funding and ads, and a ban on lobbyists "buying" members of Congress. 

If you knew there were issues we agreed on, would you be more open to hearing other viewpoints? Do you seek to understand others who may have differing views on various topics? 

Let us seek common ground with others. Let the act of seeking to understand each other through mutual respect and our shared love for country and family begin with me.