Volume 7, Issue 14
Are warring parties really so far apart?
In times of political and economic stress, grand visions that appear to be in conflict of purpose can become blurred in relationship to each other. For instance, a basic tenet of Christianity is to take care of those who are the least among us. Isn’t this, in fact, a charge of progressives who advocate socialism? Perhaps progressives could find more tolerance of Christian morality if they would allow the existence of God as an acceptable component in the equation of society. And perhaps Christians could have more compassion for progressives if an agreement could be reached on commitments to the poor. The rub, of course, presents itself when progressives reject, in part, and then the totality of Christian morality in the discussion of abortion or traditional marriage.
The vision blurs when one group demands constitutional authority over the other. It is critical to understand that if one group is, in fact, successful in determining constitutional superiority, the Bill of Rights is destroyed and government tyranny is nearby.
Liberals place their faith in government to produce egalitarian results. It is their belief that capitalism has no quarter for those who cannot pull themselves up by their own bootstraps. Conservatives do not, by intention, mean to leave anyone behind economically. However, liberals do not trust a capitalistic system to produce a level playing field. Perhaps liberals could reach compromise with conservatives if they understood that conservatives truly want equal access to all for opportunity. And perhaps conservatives could find middle ground with liberals if they understood that liberals do not want to restrict a person’s individual right to the pursuit of happiness.
The visions blur when one political ideology demands absolute priority for addressing issues of their definition and concern. The quests are obstructed when no acknowledgment is recognized for the successes of either vision.
There is value in reflection upon what America has achieved since 1776. We dwell on the iniquities. Yet, no country in the world today can stand on its record as a better place of hope, equality, constitutional protection, and liberty than the United States of America. No other country.
The only single issue that progressives argue that is lacking in America is that some other countries have socialized medicine. But those health care systems provide less overall health care to their citizens. Think about this for a moment. Nobody is attempting to emigrate from the United States to get to another part of the world for a better life. This is because of two reasons. One is that freedom, liberty and government services are pretty good here. And two, we have a constitutional system of free speech, free assembly, and rights of redress of grievances. Reform sought is more possible by process in the United States than in any other country. Eighty percent of Americans are satisfied with their lives in world context. The other 20% are not ignored and honestly are a purpose of all ideological philosophies and political party platforms.
The visions blur when one ideological group attacks another in an effort of extermination. Recently, the San Antonio city council voted to ban Chick-fil-A from their municipal airport. Why? Because the founder, not the corporation, contributed money to a summer camp sponsored by Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Corporate franchises make no distinctions whatsoever of whom they serve. Their hiring policy is open and nondiscriminatory. For a public body to ban a corporation from a public facility, simply because the founder professes to be a Christian, is an unconstitutional act of a government applying a religious test.
I delayed the Nuttle Report one day until the results of the Israeli elections were determined. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was declared the victor at 4 AM Central this morning. There are many similarities between Israel and the United States in the atmosphere of their political conditions. The West Bank Annexation and the terms of a Palestinian state drive the Israeli divide. They are, as we are, bitterly split right down the middle. The issues in question appear intractable. Israel, at times, is a political bellwether to the United States. Constituents of both countries are desperately attempting to control government for their own perceived visions by any and all means.
Israel is, by far, the most successful economy in the Middle East. Democracy has served them well. No Arab country surrounding Israel allows for demonstrations against that government by right. Yet, in Israel, the visions blur when each side refuses to recognize the achievements of their democracy in its historical context.
What, then, is to be done about blurring visions in times of turbulence? How is focus brought to bear to reveal the unity of purpose in the visions?
Eliminate the diffusion of rhetoric caused by innocuous, militant, radical conclusions that are selective in recognizing desired results. There is value to be realized in evaluating the foundations of success. There is no purity of purpose governed by this system of things. All proficient structures of mankind, economic or political, require the incorporation of proven elements of sound policy. Leadership is critical. In addition, citizen responsibility to respond to logical all-inclusive proposals is also critical.
In so doing, we may find, in our divisions, acceptable solutions as a starting point upon which to build.
My name is Marc Nuttle and this is what I believe.
What do you believe?