Ok, so it's taken me a long time to really get this going because I wasn't quite sure how to make it work. I want it to be a dialogue about the political and social issues that divide us. I want us to be able to eschew labels such as liberal, conservative, Democrat and Republican, and talk as people about what concerns us, ignites our passions and fires us up enough to fight for. It is easy to be against something. It is easy to use a scare tactic to ignite fear and make people angry. I want to know what you're for, what you need, what you believe in and how we can begin to work together to fix the problems in this country and global society we now live in.
I strongly believe that being divided, making the other side out to be evil, and standing so firmly on the mantle of our beliefs without a willingness to listen to and try to understand someone else's view-point will be our downfall as a nation. I have posted my views about healthcare, and I welcome comments in the attitude of seeking first to understand. It is so easy in today's society to surround yourself with only those who agree with you, and real discussion is difficult if not impossible when the hard-core rhetoric is trotted out. Given that, the rules for this discussion will be as follows:
- No name-calling, labels, or political party rhetoric has a place here. If that is what you are seeking, there are plenty of other places on the web to post your comments and find others who will agree with you. You will be blocked if you don't respect the rules.
- Full names are required in order to post. That is why you will be required to log-in in order to comment. I honestly think the anonymity of most internet commenting is what gives people license to be insulting and demeaning. If you aren't willing to include your full name in relation to a comment, then you probably shouldn't be making it publicly.
- The goal is to find common ground, not stand your ground or defend your point of view. "Seek First to Understand and then to be understood." Please ask questions, seek clarification, and be willing to be open and honest about why you believe what you believe. Yes, share opposing viewpoints when necessary, but do so respectfully.
- Please don't quote others. Let this be about your voice. If you want to share a link that reinforces your POV or cite an article or resource, feel free, but this dialogue will be best when it is about what YOU believe, not the NYT or Fox News or your Uncle Fred.
There are many, many factors that play a role in shaping our beliefs and making us who we are. I urge you to explore your own ideology and make sure that it is yours. Sure, we were raised by our parents in a certain way, taught values perhaps by a religious tradition, and we are impacted every day by what we listen to, watch and read in the media. When it comes down to it, what is it that YOU believe? What is important to you? Please approach this discussion with a mind toward answering those questions for yourself, and finding common ground with your neighbors, co-workers, family members and fellow citizens.
Please submit your own essay of 1000 words or less to meetinmiddle@gmail.com. some possible topics include:
Energy
Global Warming/Climate Change
Our place in the global community
Immigration
The Economy
Education
Taxes
Free Markets
Gay Rights
Abortion
Family Values
Sex Education
Research Funding
Of course there are many, many more. Choose an issue that informs your vote and share your thoughts with us.
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Thanks for starting this dialogue. Folks may find these additional guidelines helpful for having a successful dialogue. (Taken from CU Boulder's Dialogue Network)
Listening:
-Listen from a place of learning rather than for confirmation of current thinking.
-Listen with resilience, "hanging in" when what is said is hard to hear.
Speaking:
-When possible, use "I" statements instead of "we", "you", or "they" and refrain from stating your views as global or absolute truths.
-Tell your story without blaming, shaming, or attacking.
-Acknowledge your new insights gained from the group.
Discovering:
-Suspend or postpone conclusions; open yourself to discovery.
-Pay attention to your judgements, assumptions, and certainties. Hold them lightly, explore and examine them, and consider alternatives that may be just as useful.
-Allow yourself to be influenced.
-Be open to exploring multiple possible outcomes, and unattached to preconceived results.
Wendy Vonhof
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