GOAL: Whether conservative, liberal, libertarian or other it is my hope that you will find this blog to be a valuable source of information and learning. All party affiliations, perspectives and contributions are welcome assuming that they follow the designated format & are consistent with the commitments below.
If you are like me you realize that most issues are much more complex/multi-layered than than the soundbites & headlines suggest. And it is unrealistic to think that we are already well-informed experts on the topics that arise. You may also lament like I do how hard it is to find information you can trust on a particular topic. So, when an important issue hits the front-page rather than weighing in with some partisan, knee-jerk reaction based on party affiliation or personal loyalty why not educate ourselves & each other? Here's how it will work in a few simple steps:
1) ISSUES: We'll identify timely public policy issues of which we want to be more informed. The aim here is education through research & informed, civil discussion so that we can vote as well as lobby our representatives in a manner that is worthy of our great democracy. (Examples include Immigration Reform, Health Care, Torture, Arab Spring, Sharia Law, Debt Ceiling etc.)
2) DATA/CONTEXT: Our discussion will start with the posting of data/facts. So, rather than starting with premature opinions or critique of politicians/bills etc. we will do some simple, basic research using the web & post our findings (without editorial comment other than to provide clarity). For example, how many illegal immigrants are there in the US? What is the estimated cost associated with them? What data do we have on crime rates? While we are looking for objective data (e.g. a think tank with a balanced perspective) it is also reasonable to assume that the posting of data from multiple perspectives (conservative, liberal, libertarian etc.) will also allow us to have a more full understanding of the complexity of a particular issue and eventually find reliable estimates/measures somewhere in the push/pull from different perspectives. Especially valuable will be the sharing of information that provides some context for the data being discussed. The point here is to avoid the manipulation/selective use of data to overstate/understate/misrepresent the significance of some public policy change (e.g. does a proposed $10m budget cut represent a 1% decrease or a 50% decrease, does this parliamentary procedure get used all the time or is it the the first time ever invoked?).
3) OPINIONS/POSITIONS: Then, after reviewing the data/context provided we'll each weigh in regarding our opinions, perspectives, concerns, requests for additional information, and recommendations. Critique of bills/politicians are welcome but keep it civil & always try to make a constructive contribution. So, you don't like what Speaker Boehner or President Obama are proposing - then what would you suggest?
4) DIALOGUE: Finally, we'll respond to each other's analysis and assertions. The key here is to keep it civil and focused on the issues. Personal attacks & name-calling are unacceptable and changing the subject is not cool either.
Commitments for Participation:
- Be Transparent: acknowledge your sources & your biases when relevant
- Be Civil: There are many valid perspectives on most issues so give each other respect. I think you'll agree we can do much better than our current public discourse suggests.
- Be Balanced: Supplement critique with compliment. What do you like in the bill in addition to what is wrong with it?
- Be Specific: What is so "terrible" about bill x and why? Generalities are hard to debate/refute/embrace. Substantiate your critiques and assertions.
- Be Open-Minded: Of course, most of us will begin the consideration of an issue with an initial opinion/perspective but unless you wrote your thesis on the topic - and even then - there is probably still much to learn. So, be willing to post research data that undermines your initial/typical position.
Thanks for your participation. I look forward to engaging with you on many of our most important public policy issues.
