A good start on conversation between various groups..

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   jackclee lmposted 6 years ago

   Dear fellow hubbers,
   
   A week ago, I started a few forums that are controvertial to say the least. I wanted to start a real conversation among the various political groups. The responses have been phenonmenal and above all my expectations. I must say it cleared some air for me and I have learned a few things as well. We may not all agree but it is healthy and imperative we have this discussion.
   I never bought in to the idea that we cannot or shouldn't discuss religion and politics among family and friends... How can we ever make progress if these topics are avoided just because it makes people uncomfortable?
   
   I do think we have a long way to go in our country... given what transpired in the last 50 years.
   We have made tremendous progress in civil rights and yet look where we ended up?
   Is the current society the model we want?
   I do also believe that many social issues are interconnected... such as poverty and welfare and education teenage mothers and immigration and a host of other issues...
   We can not treat each one independently.
   
   What am I driving at?
   Perhaps they are related by design. We are people of a society like no other. We are not ruled by kings or tyrants or Imans... We are free as a people because of our unique Constitution.
   We are governed by the people with consent of the people.
   It is time we set aside or bias and false notions and work towards real solutions.
   It is funny how we all seem to want the same things and yet have very opposing ideas of how to reach them? We often talk through each other instead of listening....
   We speak of words that are "loaded' and that triggers passion beyond what was intended...
   We take sides and dig in and refuse to be open to thinking "outside the box". Our politicians and political parties take advantage of our human instincts and pit one group against another so that they can keep power and control. We are the stupid ones for allowing this to happen again and again, election after election and nothing really changed, Republicans or Democrats in power. How come?
   
   Anyway, I want to thank all people for commenting and giving your heart felt opinions. I may not agree with you but I understand where you are coming from. I hope you are open to the same...
   Let's continue our discussions with a new understanding and discuss or debate out of respect and not fear or malice. Thanks.
   
   - Jack

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      wildernessposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      20 years ago I was very concerned that patriotism had died in our country; that no one cared for the country, only for the group they identified with.
      
      Then 911 happened, and it took less than 24 hours to change my mind.
      
      Somehow we forget that we ARE a country, that there WILL be differences of opinion, and that to survive and build our country for everyone (including ourselves) we must set aside those "group" identities and work together. 
      
      We are once more where we were 20 years ago, identifying ourselves as part of a group, a club of people that agree with us, and anyone not in the club must be shouted down.  Whether that club is white, black, female, male, hispanic, young, old, Christian, Muslim or even a small geographical area we have to learn there isn't about just our little group.  It's about ALL of us.

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      1. 81

         jackclee lmposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         Yes I know exactly what you mean. It is funny how we seems to forget so quickly...
         I also remember people started attending churches right after 9/11... it didn't last either.

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         1. 96

            wildernessposted 6 years agoin reply to this

            LOL  I've been a member of the YMCA for several years now - it's been fun watching as gym usage goes way up in January.  Every year.  And by the end of February it is back to normal as those new years resolutions are forgotten.
            
            Let's just hope that N Korea isn't the tinder that builds patriotism again.

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            1. 81

               jackclee lmposted 6 years agoin reply to this

               Relax, N Korea is just a blip in the big scheme of things. I won't loose any sleep over it.
               They are a sad country controlled by a despot. These regimes will come and go...
               They have no power over us or the world, even with their nukes. This kim is no dummy. Even he knows if he tried anything, he will be reduced to rubbles under Trump.

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               1. 96

                  wildernessposted 6 years agoin reply to this

                  Agreed.  Trump didn't backpedal furiously as others have in the past, and the result was Kim backing down himself.

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   2. 78

      Credence2posted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Ok, Jack, we can chat. But you have to be such a duddly- do- right pollyana about Conservatism and what it means to American and what your perspective and that of conservatives is the only correct one. Well, I am here and say that I challenge that.

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      1. 81

         jackclee lmposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         Credence2, I am open to new ideas. If you can come up with a plan, a policy, a law, or anything guiding principles... that will help the current situation, I am open to it. Make sure you can defend it. I am looking for results, not pie in the sky theories...

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      2. 74

         Misfit Chickposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         Agreed. If I actually thought he was serious - I'd have a lot more hope, LoL!
         
         "See, I'm a nice guy just like you - except I support a guy who intentionally incites hate & deeper divisions among us."
         
         Not very convincing, Jack.

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         1. 78

            Credence2posted 6 years agoin reply to this

            We will see!!

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