Bend But Not Break

A well-known radio personality recently made a speech which aired on television. He spoke about and for members of the political right. The message that he wanted to get across was this: The Constitution does not need to change and neither does the Republican party. I have no problem with conservative thinking in general. What disturbs me is that others might genuinely agree with the above sentiment.

For too long many Republicans have desired to return this country back to "the good 'ole days." This is a fantasy. Our history as a nation is filled with good, bad and many other types of days. The only place that simpler times exist are on black and white television re-runs.

The Republicans stand for a strong foundation of morality and ethical behavior. I appreciate and respect this. What they do not understand is that morals and ethics are not written in stone. Over time and within various cultures the meanings of right and wrong have changed. What was once socially acceptable behavior is no longer and vice versa.

It is a fine thing to act from a place of strong morals within one's own life. Moral superiority as evidenced by many Republicans is an entirely different matter. One must be willing to see things as they are. They must acknowledge the changes that occur as people and countries grow. Morals and ethics must evolve as a society does.

Granted most Republicans do not see positive growth. They deny Darwinian evolution while decrying what they perceive as man's devolution into chaos. What I hope most will agree with is that change is neither good nor bad. It simply is a fact of life. Why so many on the right are afraid of this is beyond my comprehension.

This rigid and inflexible thinking is the cause of the disaffected and splintered party the Republicans have become. I do not suggest that they bend to change to the point of breaking. I suggest that they, and their good intentions, must keep up with society. This was what the founding fathers intended when they created the Constitution.

Despite the broadcaster's position I mentioned earlier, the paper our country was founded upon was meant to be a living, breathing document. The fathers knew that the infant land that they helped to form would go through growing pains. They knew that our nation would grow and change over time. They purposely crafted the Constitution to allow for changes and additions as dictated by the will of the people.

All change, by its very nature, moves forward in time. We cannot move backward no matter how badly one might wish. All people must understand this basic truth. If one remains so inflexible in their stance the world will simply pass them by. The Republicans have done this as a group. They, as a result, have become out-of-touch with America. Maybe when they realize that they can be strong and flexible at the same time will they once again be embraced by the masses.

Clinging Desperately

Discussion and debate goes on everywhere. We express our opinions to our family, our friends, co-workers and even total strangers. Most of this communication occurs because each side is willing to listen to opposing viewpoints. Some people may agree with us from the start. Others may hold a different point of view. There are shades of gray within any topic. When an issue is portrayed in black and white it is being oversimplified.

I take what I am told with a grain of salt. Different experiences and bias affect what may be inherently factual. What helps me to put things in perspective is to look at the big picture. In order to do this one must be willing to acknowledge that other viewpoints exist. One must also respect the fact that others opinions and feelings are legitimate.

There is one technique that essentially kills any further communication between two people. You hear this a lot. It is what sound bites are made of. A person spouts an opinion that so obviously excludes reason and logic that you are left speechless. An opinion that is so radical and extreme that you do not know where to begin to point out the many holes in their story.

Many times this opinion is just the same rhetoric that passes for an informed and educated viewpoint. They might have heard it from their favorite broadcasting personality. It might have come from one of their like-minded acquaintances. What makes these views so dead wrong is that they, by their very nature, eliminate the need for further discussion. It is as if the person is placing their hands over their ears and shutting their mind off completely.

Why do people do this? As frustrating as it is to deal with this lack of intelligent thinking we must feel sorry for them. It takes patience, time and a modicum of gray matter to consider the big picture. Some individuals are afraid. They do not truly understand the world around them. They cannot comprehend, nor can they cope with, the changes that most of us deal with on a regular basis.

Fear is not the only reason people spout such radical viewpoints. After all, we tend to fear what we do not understand. Another reason is weakness. It takes internal strength and fortitude to manage what comes our way. The world can be a cruel mistress. Not all that happens to us in our lifetime is directly related to our actions. There are those that are too weak to handle the myriad changes in their world.

Through fear and weakness people desperately want to have a handle on things. They spew forth meaningless drivel in an attempt to appear informed and intelligent. They wear their ignorance like a protective cloak. But like the emperor's clothes we can all see what they cannot. What they believe to be a solid argument we see as a transparent attempt to shield themselves from the truth. The ignorant can be educated. Those that stupidly cling to prejudice and stereotypes are a lost cause.

The next time you are confronted with one of these conversation ending viewpoints just keep walking. Do not waste your time or breath trying to debate with a hard head. Extreme individuals do not wish to have an intelligent discussion. Their self-satisfaction and self-assurance that they are right is all that they require. Arguing with them just feeds into their need for attention. They want an emotional reaction. Stay calm and focused. Just go on your way as you say a silent prayer that someday their head and heart might soften a bit. Then again, you might pray for the ultimate punishment. Maybe they will come across someone who is just like them!

Food And Drink

Eat to live rather than live to eat is a mantra repeated by those in the health care field. Only in America do we need such a reminder. There are so many around the world that live just to find food. Our whole attitude towards food is out of touch. We cannot get enough food fast enough. There are never too many choices. We cannot imagine living any other way.

What do the starving masses think of us? Imagine if they got a glimpse of our over-consumption? We have eating contests where we stuff our faces and bellies to overflowing. We pay farmers not to grow on land that is perfectly usable. We throw so much food away that a subculture has grown from our excess. God forbid we should send some of what we have in abundance to those who starve. This should surprise no one. The government would not let food be shipped to Katrina survivors. What chance does the rest of the world have?

Let us not forget that other commodity which we all need to live. Water is essential to our bodies yet this too is an issue for many. In some places there is no safe source of drinking water. Some governments will not pay for wells to be dug. Others divert money away from those who wish to help to those who have more than enough. In some instances residents must prepay for their water regardless of their income status.

You may think I am speaking in generalities. Take any one of the issues I have raised and see for yourself. Research via periodicals or the Internet will show you just how serious these problems are. People need food. People need water. We human beings need to start caring. We must act and not simply sit back and shed a tear.

There are solutions. You and I are intelligent beings. We can come up with good ideas. What separates the thinkers from the doers is action. Learn about people and their problems. Understand various points of view. Think about what you read and then act. Do not do what others say is best just because they speak with authority. Authority does not always equate with intelligence. Good intentions through speeches and rhetoric helps no one. As others just talk we need to act. The lives of countless others depend on it.

Polar Opposites

Intelligent and insightful debate was what this country was founded upon. Our forefathers debated amongst themselves while working toward the final draft of the constitution. What once was is no more. So much of the debate our media displays is too often one-sided. The polarization of this country has become the stock and trade for many so-called journalists and politicians.

The atmosphere of our national discussion has become filled with meaningless labels and euphemisms such as radical and ultra, left and right. These terms and others, which are often used to generalize or oversimplify, have lost all meaning. Words are not inherently evil. Unfortunately they are being used for evil purposes.

Too often we hear various media personalities or leaders of political organizations take an "us vs. them" point of view. We are good and they are bad. We are right and they are wrong. They are the problem and we are the solution. These attitudes are not only simplistic but an insult to most thinking individual's intelligence.

This kind of thinking often leads to what I call the "one-two political punch." This is what essentially ends any debate with the people who use this technique. The first punch is minimization. No matter what another group says or does they are minimized. Regardless that another group may have valid points they are portrayed in a light that makes them seem completely unimportant. The second punch is demonization. Once the other side is made to look small and insignificant they are then labeled as evil. They are the source of whatever problem the speaker is rallying against.

Watch any news broadcast with a critical eye and you will see these techniques used on a daily basis. These illegitimate tools are regularly used by those who have some kind of agenda. Why else would they be working so hard to convince you of their sincerity and righteousness? If their argument was built upon solid and objective facts there would be no need to use these tools to stifle discussion and debate. Intelligent people can disagree on any number of topics. The problem comes when people with power try to persuade you they are right for their own hidden purposes. Often these purposes are simply money and ratings. Staying in power is another.

These people that make their living on keeping so many Americans polarized would truly be threatened if we as a nation got together. My hope is that we learn to cherish what we as humans have in common. If only we could come together and have healthy discussions. We could learn to tolerate and even accept what makes us different from each other. When we learn enough about each other our fears will be replaced by understanding and love.

There is power in numbers. The polarizers fear this power. As long as we keep silent and numbly sit back and watch events as they unfold we will never truly become part of the democratic process. Our citizens and the nation as a whole deserve better. The founding fathers taught us better than this.

Childish Or Childlike

As children we are told to grow up. We are told to act our age. Parents want us to act mature. How ironic is it then that as adults we so want to be young again? What kind of message does this send to impressionable youth? Hurry up and grow up so you can stop being such a burden. Oh, and while you're at it, get a job and chip in for rent.

We tend to slowly eliminate any childhood traits as children grow. Curiosity, wonder, hope and idealism are reduced to mere memories as we reach adulthood. Pessimism and cynicism show up like unwelcome guests. Just try and express some childlike behavior in front of others. Watch how quickly you are criticized for being childish and unrealistic.

Being naive as a child is expected. As an adult this trait can prove fatal. Others remark that we should know better. What is so bad about seeing the world though the eyes of a child? If anything these childlike traits would be of help in dealing with our adult world. When was the last time you saw a child worrying about their blood pressure?

Being open to new experiences is the mark of a well-balanced adult. We as adults have greater opportunities to explore our world. As we do what type of mindset is most useful? Worrying about money or other annoyances detracts from the experience. Enjoying the wonder that is existence will create an experience that will stay with us forever. Having an adult mind with a childlike demeanor brings so much pleasure.

The next time a child acts immature we should be thankful. Children do not need to grow up any quicker than nature intended. There are enough adult responsibilities waiting just around the corner. My wish is that all adults could enjoy their lives with the same outlook as a child. There is so much beauty and wonder in the world. Do not look with your usual vision. See what surrounds you as if through the eyes of a child.