If I put myself in the mind of an average Republican what common ground might I find there?
(If Spock can mind-meld with a Horta I can do this.)
Top of my head:
1. Affection for the country I grew up in. Home is home.
2. Respect for what that nation stands for, although that is subject to some pretty extreme interpretations.
3. A desire for accountability in government.
4. Respect for the rule of law, also subject to extreme interpretations.
5. Desire for civil public discourse.
6. Desire to be left alone if I’m not hurting anyone.
7. Wishing I didn’t have to pay taxes, but acknowledging that it’s my civic responsibility.
8. Fear that what I have could be taken away.
9. Anger at government waste and inefficiency.
10. Confusion at what exactly our elected leaders are doing and how it will affect me.
11. A belief (right or wrong) that I understand what’s going on a little bit more than the average schmuck.
12. A desire for the country to be as good a place as it can be.
13. Desire for my kids and grandkids to enjoy as good or better a quality of life than I have, whether I’m there to see it or not.
Even allowing for differences of opinion over what constitutes a good process and/or outcome, I still think that’s a lot of philosophical common ground among all people.
It ought to be enough to motivate us to ignore the loud-mouth jerks on both sides and come to some satisfactory arrangement between grown-ups.
Tomorrow I’ll take a look at where our roads appear to fork.
