Good Talk

Over the last few days I participated in a lively discussion on Facebook that one of my brothers-in-law started. It was political in nature and took a few turns, but included media bias, first amendment freedoms of assembly, press and speech and our second ammendment right to keep and bear arms. There were several points of view represented and while nobody was swayed I'm sure, it was a great discussion and everyone was respectful of the others. At the conclusion I called my brother-in-law and we carried it on a bit more. What was so enjoyable about the debate and discussion was differing views were able to have a respectful discussion, but what was unique about it was that we moved on from media talking points into specifics and ideas.

It occurred to me yesterday that we all too often argue over what we've heard instead of what we think ourselves. Too frequently we take our favorite commentators point of view and just make it our own. That may be fine sometimes, but when the issue is really important and complex you have to go beyond that. Even more so, we have to think independently about solutions. It does no good to simply yell louder our point of view that's opposite of our opponent. We have to get down to solving the problem.

One of the natural directions this talk goes is into our two party system. The fact that we have to make a choice between just two options limits our freedom of expression as portrayed through the voting process.

Keep talking.

A.J.