The Common Boat

Madame M:

Counseling and support groups?  I suppose, but as you said, this would be a different avenue.  One with no narrow focus, or any associated—deserved or undeserved—stigma.  One where the thoughts of citizens could not only be expressed and collected, but where people feel free to modify those thoughts.  Where people feel valued in society that is too often anti-valuing or uncaring.  A place where they can want to learn and understand how they fit—and possibly to learn and understand from others.  Where people talk or see in person what others have expressed—without condemnation.  Where they get to know not the ideological views primarily, but the STORIES of people—where they come from, what their background is, what drives them and why. Where, in this insular society, they can meet and talk with people NOT like them, and maybe find out how rich, varied, and complicated many of us are. 

Probably need to combine this idea with a good coffeehouse idea. :)

Would be nice to attain what a thriving democracy should look like rather than a dysfunctional one: “Procedural and substantive norms are widely accepted; although there is opportunity for the expression of individual and group interests within well-defined limits. There is general acceptance of the political process and widespread agreement on what is or is not permissible behavior. Pluralistic democracies are typically based on this notion of collective interest and constrained (if vigorous) competition. Moreover, there is a common expectation that those in office will use their position for the public good rather than for private gain. In cases where individual interests take priority over the collective interest, then corruption runs rife or the state becomes fragmented. When control of the state becomes the prize of politics, then obligations to the collective interest are subordinated to the pursuit of individual or factional interests.” (from a 2008 Swiss published article entitled “Violent Non-State Actors and National and International Security,” by Phil Williams, pages 5-6)

Of course, the above is all the more accentuated by the displays of hyper-partisanship in Washington—including now the arcane procedural debates in the Senate to score momentary political advantages.  More posturing (and casualties to the “general welfare”—the common good) in this post-truth, post-facts era.

Sometimes it seems like America is adrift in a boat with the wheel lashed down by opposing factions.  While the passengers mostly lounge below decks and don’t come up very often to see how far things have drifted dangerously off course—and when they do, usually retreat quickly back down below to settle back into denial, despair, apathy, or escapism.

Still working on what to do about that. :)