There seems to be a problem of communication here. Sometimes you are using different sets of facts. More often are you using different words to describe the same observable facts. It may feel as if you are partaking of a different reality than some of your neighbors. You start to question up and down, right and wrong, black and white.
You are questioning
Perhaps we could go back to that idea of “observable facts”. Is there an objective reality that we can all independently observe? If we are going to live together in a harmonious way, there must be certain facts that we all agree on. Is it possible to agree on certain basic facts? What are the observable facts?
We already know we might have a hard time agreeing on the “why” of certain facts, with our tendency to get mired in anger and blame. This only keeps us endlessly in the past. Could we rather start with the observable facts, what any two reasonable, independent observers would agree upon.
Examples of observable facts:
There are not enough jobs, in this country and the world, for all the people we have now, and technology is only taking away more.
The wealth of this country, and the world, is apportioned strangely, in a lopsided, unequal way.
Whatever happens to our country, we all wish it to succeed beyond the founders’ dreams, and to maintain the moral power it derives from the constitution.
We wish all our transitions could be gentle.
These are facts we could all agree upon. Let us begin with observable facts, is in essence saying, let us begin with agreement.
Let us begin with agreement
In the past, our acknowledgement of observable facts led us to chasing scapegoats, ever more vehemently, ever more violently. This led us to be always dwelling in the past, raking it over, keeping its resentments and dominance games alive. There is no future in this.
There is no future in dominance games
Or, to put it another way, if you continue to chase the scapegoats of blame, your future will look exactly like your past. Bitter division.
When is the best time to step away from a failed strategy?
Let us begin by agreeing; let us begin with observable facts. If we continue in pragmatism and common sense, with the constitution as our guide, friends, what can stop us?
