"What built and sustains America is loyalty to principles." So true.
I try to avoid spontaneous political discussions. But, like you experienced on your hike, people can't seem to help themselves. When it occurs, I try to dig into principles - what supports a healthy society, why is persuasion and autonomy more effective than coercion, what is the proper role of government (if any) - but people don't like discussing these things. So many talk in sound bites and become incredulous when they find you may not see it the same. Then emotion takes over.
The best I can do then is hone my own understanding of principles and - more importantly - live them.
Discord has done her work well in this country. If we can't find common ground and have rational discussions, then conflict is indeed the only outcome. Of course, our founders understood that is the natural end of democracy.
"We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to sustain ourselves, according to the Ten Commandments of God". James Madison
"What built and sustains America is loyalty to principles." So true.
I try to avoid spontaneous political discussions. But, like you experienced on your hike, people can't seem to help themselves. When it occurs, I try to dig into principles - what supports a healthy society, why is persuasion and autonomy more effective than coercion, what is the proper role of government (if any) - but people don't like discussing these things. So many talk in sound bites and become incredulous when they find you may not see it the same. Then emotion takes over.
The best I can do then is hone my own understanding of principles and - more importantly - live them.
Discord has done her work well in this country. If we can't find common ground and have rational discussions, then conflict is indeed the only outcome. Of course, our founders understood that is the natural end of democracy.
Scott, Thank you for adding your wise observations and experience.
"We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to sustain ourselves, according to the Ten Commandments of God". James Madison
Carl, Thank you for the powerful Madison reminder!