There are some pretty important issues before us, as a people.
In a comment made today, regarding a Tennessee legislator's vituperations about the United Nation's "Agenda 21" proposal, nearly force-fed by the John Birch Society to the legislators recently, was the statement by a conservative commenter that said he was sick and tired of compromising. He says it is the responsiblity of the Democrats to reach across the aisle for a while. He isn't interested in giving one inch of his values away in the name of getting anything done.
As you let that sink in, I hope you will follow me below the squggledoodlethingey fold, so we can discuss this.
And you, dear reader, have long believed that all that stuff about "all politics is local" was just so much hooey, didn't you?
My determination to create this diary found its genesis in this newspaper article. That's true. But my determination gathered itself into a whirlwind (or it could have been too many beef burritos, just sayin'....) because of a diary I read here today, written by cassandracarolina. This diarist begins her diary with a rather impressive laundry list of the current ills before our nation:
In a time when we're besieged by problems such as unemployment, poverty, climate change, looming potential for war with Iran, millions of wounded veterans from past and current war, foreclosures, rising medical costs, trade imbalances, currency risks, fossil fuel dependence, growing gaps between rich and poor, obesity and diseases running rampant, and utter gridlock in Washington, they're steadfastly focused on the real problem: sex.
I am readily aware that conservatives over at redstates might well have a similar, but entirely different list of concerns felt, or ills seen before us as a nation. I am not good enough in the creativity department to create their list for them. I freely invite any diarist with the desire to do so to kosmail me such a list. I will post it as an update to this diary, with credit given to the writer, or links, etc.
The survival of democracy in America depends entirely upon our ability, as citizens, to solve this dilemma first--before any other issue before us. I am not attempting to incite, scare, or overstate the case here. To my mind, this is an absolute truth. Given that I also believe that many citizens, across the several points of view on virtually any of the issues we must face as a nation, would absolutely agree with this statement, I also believe that we can create a common denominator. I believe we can do it here. Now. That is my call to every reader, and to every Kossack. Let's create a common denominator that will, for at least a little time, erase the boundaries of our parties. Let's agree that, as citizens, we will address these too-important issues as citizens, with the best interests of our nation as the first goal.
For our part, let's agree to concentrate on being the solution creators, together.
Some of the problems that we have seen mutually distorted in our favorite media are much the same problems. They have different titles, but many common complaints. For instance, we Progressive Democrats believe that on this, International Women's Day, the Conservatives have openly declared war on women. It is nigh on impossible to defend this argument, on its face. Well over 1,200 such bills have been introduced across our land in the past two years. In fact, if you were not hiding under a rock today to lick the wounds we suffered this past Tuesday, you will know that the female contingent of the Georgia State Senate walked out of the Senate Chambers today as a protest against two of the latest works of legislation which they believe are specifically aimed against them, and the rights they have so hard fought and won. Women's Health and their reproductive rights are serious concerns to a slight majority of all voters in the USA.
Conservatives would most likely tell you (yet I do not wish to implant words in anyone's mouth) that abortion is a violation and affront to their faith. Others of their group would quickly tell you that their only concern is that providing such medical care and services is a completely unnecessary drag on our national economy. Religious leaders have come to the fore on this issue, for their own reasons. You may safely presume that these conversations are taking place in places of Worship across the land, from the Pulpit to the Fellowship Hall, and especially from the parking lot to the Ladies' Home Circles, Auxilliaries, and other associations related to the church organizations. Economic pundits are also piling on, begging to create the latest answer in search of a question, as the potential economic impact of this sudden generation of legislative distraction is weighed, evaluated, and lobbied for or against.
I believe both major divisions of this issue have some valid points to be made. I believe that both major divisions of this issue have a right, as citizens, to state their case and to have their positions heard. I believe they should be. I believe that every single issue presented in the quote could, if given unbiased and level-headed attention, would fall into this same determination of mine. Passions rise, emotions go into overdrive, and stinging words devolve into mindless vituperations.
Why? (Just hang in there a minute, okay?)
This is but an example of the reality before us, as citizens. It is absolutely true that I do have positions and/or opinions on most things, these things included. On some of them, I have moved the bar from "opinion" to "conviction" to be quite honest. I would even go so far as to say I am not alone in that movement.
As citizens, we have been hoodwinked. That is not an opinion, but a conviction. As recent days should have shown us, we really do still possess the ultimate power in America. As opposed to some here, and many "out there", I do not believe that America is forever and terminally broken. Nor do I believe the same is true for our government, our governance, or our founding documents. I will say, however, that I absolutely DO believe all of these things have been perpetually ignored for entirely too long.
As I was reading the above-referenced documents today, I began looking for some common denominator which might serve as a starting point for this diary. Honestly, I could not find one. But that led me to an understanding that I believe to be true. I also happen to believe that, cast in many different words, most citizens of America would also tell you that they believe it to be true,as well.
We don't have one.
In a very short span of time, I had a few thoughts.
*This is beneath us as citizens, and as a nation.
*Fault has no place in a solution.
*Neither does intract-ability and/or intransigence.
*Nerves are as raw as they have been in a very, very long time.
*Asking anyone to set aside their beliefs is reasonable, for the greater good.
*People can only set aside their convictions when they see the truth clearly.
*Anyone willing to seriously consider alternatives and solutions should be heard with respect, regardless of the positions they hold.
So, I call all citizens, and all Kossacks to set aside any discussions of persons, positions, or beliefs for a time, and write about reasonable solutions to some of these great and weighty issues. I know we are all tired, because the Primaries are still not, for all their efforts, addressing solutions. If the solutions are reasonable, represent the best interests of our citizenry, and our nation, they should receive a fair hearing.
What better place than here? Who better than we, the voices of reason? Why not now?