See The Value (1 Viewer)

Uncle Gizmo

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See The Value



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Dr Jordan B Peterson's video caused me to wonder if the difference between republican and democrat is that they see different values in situations?

Imagine strolling through the woods and stumbling upon a fallen tree. This tree, depending on who you are and what you need at the moment, isn't just a tree. It's a myriad of possibilities waiting to unfold. To someone who sees a gap in their garden fence, this tree is a makeshift barrier. To the weary hiker, it’s an impromptu bench, inviting a moment's rest. And to the wood turner, it’s not debris; it’s potential – the raw material for their next masterpiece.

This simple analogy sheds light on a profound truth about human perception: we don't just see things as they are; we see them for what they could mean to us. Our values, needs, and experiences shape our perspectives, painting our world in hues unique to each viewer.

Now, let's venture beyond the woods and into the political arena. Here, the divide between Republicans and Democrats often seems as vast and insurmountable as a chasm. But what if, at their core, both sides are simply seeing the same fallen tree differently?

Republicans and Democrats each bring their own set of values, priorities, and visions for the future. Where one sees a policy as a bridge, the other may see it as a barrier. One may view a law as a much-needed rest stop, while the other perceives it as raw material for societal improvement.

The crux of bridging the divide lies in recognizing this fundamental principle: both sides are driven by a deep sense of value. They’re not just arguing over the nuances of policy but are championing what they believe will make the nation thrive. If both sides can come to understand that the other isn't just opposing for the sake of opposition but is, instead, guided by a different vision of value, then we pave the way for more empathetic and productive dialogues.

Understanding doesn't require agreement, but it does necessitate a willingness to see beyond one's own perspective. By acknowledging that different doesn’t mean less important, we can begin to find common ground, even if it’s as simple as agreeing on the potential of a fallen tree in the woods.
 

The_Doc_Man

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One may view a law as a much-needed rest stop, while the other perceives it as raw material for societal improvement.

I see your point. Value is relative to the viewer. Inherent in your statement, though, is another implied value. The political parties may indeed see some laws as barriers while others see them as opportunities. But inherent in this question is whether those who use law to force societal change are ignoring the desires of large segments of the society to be changed. And this is therefore a "forest vs. trees" question too. Right now, I think that the Dems are looking at the forest but can't see the dissident trees.
 

Uncle Gizmo

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I think that the Dems are looking at the forest but can't see the dissident trees.
I don't rightly know how things have got so out of kilter from the days when Democrats and Republicans were on the one hand political opponents and on the other hand Brothers working in the political system. It is apparent that they are now tearing at each other's throats with no obvious route to reconciliation.

Underlying the conflict are real people with real families, real jobs. With a real sense of Justice and ethics. In every way, "Both groups" are similar in this regard.
 

Pat Hartman

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This is actually one of those things that can be blamed on DJT. He of course didn't set out to cause the problem but because he was perceived as dangerous by the people in power they all felt the need to attack him. It never ceases to amaze me how the Democrats turned on a dime and at the same time did a 180 on a number of their political positions because there was no way in hell that they were coming down on the same side of an issue as the Donald. Trump has leaned Democrat for all of his life. He still does. The Dems don't see it because they had to jump off those positions where they agreed with him so they couldn't be said to ever agree with him on anything. The RINOs have never agreed with Trump and they hate the way Trump is taking the party away from them.

DJT is dangerous because at heart, he is not a politician. He is a pragmatic business man who prides himself in being able to solve problems. He has a lot of common sense and his instincts regarding what is "right" are really very good. He also says the "quiet things". These are the thoughts that come into your head but are never supposed to come out of your mouth. You have been trained all your life to simply not say certain things out loud, at least not in public. DJT has no such filter and it gets him into perpetual trouble. But, it is also how you know that he is being honest and is not a fake as most politicians are. You know that politicians and lawyers are lying to you because their mouths are open. They tell you what they think you want to hear whereas Trump tells you what he is thinking. Agree with him or not. He is what he is. This was exemplified during the debates in 2016. Marco Rubio was far and away the most polished speaker on the stage at any time. But, he was too slick. To me, he looked like he spent hours in front of a mirror every day practicing explaining his political positions. Trump said whatever came into his head. A bit of a hick compared to Rubio but a hick with a message that resonated.

Once the press caught on to the game, there was absolutely no stopping it. Trump sold papers. Trump drove numbers. Trump, Trump, Trump. And like the press' "if it bleeds, it leads" mantra, negative news is always more exciting than positive news. So, that is where we are today with politicians and the media driving the negativity to gain power and the average American getting whiplash and being crucified by overspending feckless members of Congress.
 

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