Thursday, January 27th, 2011 11:10:07

Similar Rhetoric Obscures the Gap in Fundamental Values

Have you ever had a friendly debate that seems to run in circles? On the surface, it sounds as though you agree, but as the conversation unfolds, it becomes apparent that you and your opponent are using the same words, but the meanings are entirely different. You have fundamental disagreements that cannot be bridged.

At that point, you have two choices: give up because the gap between your understanding of the words cannot be bridged, or back up and align your fundamental values to ensure that you are talking about the same things. Then work toward a shared understanding and ultimately, a solution.

That’s where we are today in our political discourse. Seemingly similar rhetoric is obscuring a gap between fundamental values.