I try to avoid talking about politics for the most part, because virtually nobody is open to changing their minds about anything. In times like these, though, these conversations seem unavoidable. Of those conversations, I’ve found approximately two people who I feel are reasonable when they talk about politics. I agree mostly with one of them and with the other I agree on some things but disagree on many big ones (we favored different candidates in 2016).
I think that our country is doing great (and has been for a long time), but that doesn’t mean that it’s without its problems. One of the problems that concerns me most is that politics have become a team sport, with fervent allegiance to one’s party being more important than the policies it enacts. Worse, neither side will concede anything to the other. The other side is evil and does everything wrong, we do everything right.
If we could talk more reasonably with each other, perhaps we could find compromises, respect people who hold different beliefs, and understand that most people are trying to do what is best for themselves, their families, their friends, and the country.
The first thing that needs to change is that both sides need to admit that their solutions have downsides, and that the other view is generally based on logic and good intentions.
For example, I personally believe that any woman should be able to have an abortion for any reason, at least through the first or second trimester.
However, I don’t think that there’s a clear point at which we can say a baby is an individual. I’d argue that it’s not at conception, but I’ve seen illustrations of fetus development in the third trimester and I think I’d personally have a problem encouraging an abortion of a fetus that looked that much like a baby.
Republicans don’t hate women, and Democrats aren’t wanton murderers. They just disagree on when a fetus becomes a baby, and possibly the rights of that organism versus the rights of the host. Although I’d be comfortable with many abortions that the average Republican wouldn’t be, I should also be able to understand why they wouldn’t be comfortable with them and respect that.
So if I were to discuss abortion with someone who was against them in all cases, I would admit the cons of my stance and the pros of theirs, while arguing that the pros and cons of my stance made it better for the country. If they’re calling me a baby killer while I’m calling them a religious zealot who hates women, we aren’t being reasonable.
Another example would be Obamacare. I personally don’t like Obamacare and would like to see it repealed. However, I don’t have the right to advocate for that stance unless I admit that if it were repealed, some people would die. Likewise, if you’re in favor of Obamacare, you must admit that many people are paying far more money for insurance before, and that it is affecting their lives in serious ways.
Now we can talk about the cost vs benefit, as well as alternatives. I personally loved the old system (although it had serious problems, of course), but would also be open to fully socialized medicine. In my mind the cost vs benefit for both of those is better than what we have now.
It’s also important to admit when you don’t really know, rather than agree full force with whatever your party believes.
For example, I don’t have a strong opinion on the so-called Muslim ban. On one hand, terrorism doesn’t seem to be a huge problem here (when you look at the total number of deaths compared to almost any other way Americans die), so it doesn’t seem like letting in refugees and other travelers would cause any problems.
On the other hand, I have zero classified intelligence, the president has all of it, and all recent presidents have thought that terrorism is a huge problem. So temporarily blocking immigrants from countries which intelligence says are more likely to be sending terrorists seems like a reasonable approach if we agree with the premise that terrorism is a big problem.
If you are arguing this point and are unwilling to concede that banning immigrants from these countries is not going to mostly be banning innocent people who could contribute meaningfully to our country, I think you’re not being reasonable. At the same time, if you think the ban is derived from racism rather than classified intelligence, I also think you’re not being reasonable.
If you want to discuss politics and your goal is not to get into a shouting match where you can feel self-righteous and superior to your idiot friend (who you, curiously, respect in every other field), maybe your primary goal should be to be reasonable. Accept that your friend’s motivations are probably benevolent, that there is a trade-off in every decision, and that reasonable people could believe that different sides of that equation carry more weight.
Is it worth providing women with easy access to abortions, which will certainly improve their health and economic well-being on average, if the cost is that we are killing organisms that many people believe are humans? I think so, but I see the other side.
Is it worth providing healthcare to every American at a high cost through a confusing process? I don’t think so, but I see the other side.
Is it worth temporarily banning immigrants and travelers from certain countries our government thinks are high risk? I have a weak opinion that it’s probably not, but am mostly sure that I don’t have a well-informed opinion and that no other civilians really do either.
In all of these cases, as well as so many more, it’s important that we acknowledge the benefits as well as drawbacks of each plan and discuss those rationally. I think that’s how we help narrow the divide between the parties and elect politicians that are palatable to both sides. Is that possible? I’m not sure.
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Photo is a cool salami slicer in the middle of the restaurant at Laci Konyha in Budapest. Go for lunch when it’s way cheaper than dinner. Amazing food and experience.
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