In some respects, the current state of our body politic is
akin to a troubled marriage.
Borrowing a metaphor and methodology from marriage counseling, there are
rules of engagement, i.e. how to have a fair fight:
- Avoid character assassination (never hit below the belt);
- Argue only the current impasse (never dredge up ancient history);
- Never let arguments fester (keep them timely and relevant);
- Anger should be proportional to the issue;
- A constructive argument means leaving your partner’s dignity intact;
- If your goal is to destroy your partner, you will destroy the relationship.
If you compare the commenting styles of various blogging
communities, you can discern (metaphorically speaking) which marriages
are troubled versus which ones are broken beyond repair. Among the Cringe Fringe, posted topics
are rarely discussed. All too
often, comment threads default into character assassination, invective,
off-topic rants, and demonizing.
Conversing with the Fringe is akin to a bad marriage with a
verbally abusive spouse.
This is why I refuse to converse with these Cringe Fringe. Pointless!
In contrast, we have friends of various persuasions who
visit our respective forums and engage us in conversation. What makes them different from the Fringe? We share this motive in common: We want to fix
this troubled marriage of government - not break it.
Compare discussion threads: Although sometimes heated, ours are far
more constructive than destructive and rarely degenerate into the kinds of antagonisms and hostilities that characterize the Fringe.
The topic of immigration reform is a paradigm example of
a troubled marriage between partisans.
A Republican bill (the Marco Rubio plan) is acceptable to both
parties. Yet, Speaker Boehner and
the Tea Party Fringe refuse to consider it. Threats of litigation and/or impeachment are examples of
disproportionate anger that poison the well. Uncompromising attitudes that seek to “destroy” the president undermine this marriage of government. Instead of compromise and consensus, we have brinksmanship. We deserve better.
So which will it be:
Marriage counseling or divorce?
Is divorce even enough for the Anarchists? I think there are apocalyptic dreams fueling the fire, perhaps some dream of some savior fixing everything after everything is destroyed, but It may be wrong to search for some trace of reason, some coherent plan behind the madness.
ReplyDeleteAs long as we have a gullible culture so disdainful of facts and agencies so powerful as to be able to stifle media coverage of facts I can't see it as two parties seeking a reduction of hostility much less an amicable relationship. Can we call it apathy that allows Americans to believe almost anything without the slightest effort to find the truth? Are we really so stupid as to think Obama is a would be Czar for using legal, constitutional means to solve a problem as most presidents have done? Or did we just forget? Did we forget Reagan and both Bush's attempts to reform immigration? Are we aware that Obama has put more forces at the border and that he's reduced illegal immigration dramatically? Of course not. Are taxes going up or down, unemployment? the stock market? the debt? We're usually dead wrong and we seem to like it that way because the one true motivation is to destroy, not to mend.
I have no hope whatever and as usual, divorce is hardest on the children -- that being all of us.
Most often answers and thus solutions (politically speaking) are found somewhere near the middle. Unfortunately the middle is growing smaller and smaller.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking as a conservative (fiscal) and libertarian (social) I must say the republican party (my party of old) has grown into what I consider to be very old old and is suffering from acute dementia, or worse. Incapable of reasoned argument the R party demonstrates the behavior of a spoled child. The age spectrum going full circle?
Marriage counseling or divorce? A good question (O)CT(O)PUS. There are more days tha not when it seems divorce is the inevitable outcome. Sadly I must say.
If only politicians (people) would spend more time cleaning up their own back yards than worrying about their neighbors'.
As time rolls on and problems mount there are those who prefer to criticize the one attempting to solve problems rather than work with him in doing so. It puzzles me even as I ackknowledge disagreement with some of the President's policy specifics.
"I don't think what Washington needs is more compromise,"
ReplyDelete-Ted Cruz-
Michelle Bachmann says that Many undocumented immigrants are "illiterate" people, who will cast illegal votes thanks to Obama.
“The lack of gratitude and the deliberate ignoring of white history in relation to eliminating slavery is a disgrace that Negro leaders should own up to.” Says Ira Hansen, the new Nevada Assembly Speaker, apparently seeing disaster in every facet of what I would call common decency.
You're right - how can anyone have a conversation?
"The sane man disappears and is nowhere when he enters into rivalry with the madman"
-Plato-
“The lack of gratitude and the deliberate ignoring of white history in relation to eliminating slavery is a disgrace that Negro leaders should own up to.”
ReplyDeleteThus defining the cluelessness of the most vocal of the Tea Baggers.
Ted Cruz = Today's Joe McCarthy. Misguided and dangerous. The only question is will he be a future president or fade in disgrace? I wonder...
These bozos seem immune to shame or disgrace, but I have to see the claim that we ignore how white people freed the slaves that belonged to white people is the sort of thing I can read over and over and still see as funny -- in a grotesque sort of way.
DeleteClueless is the word, for sure
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ReplyDeleteIf we're the children and the two political parties are our metaphorical parents who may opt for a divorce, I know where I DON'T want to spend every other weekend!
ReplyDelete