Writing and speaking on political issues (any issue for that matter) has taught me one valuable lesson:

I am not always right.

If I can enter any discussion with that in mind, I would probably find myself right more often…if that statement makes any sense.

While writing on tough and divisive issues in a very polarized political environment, have been slapped with a dose of reality and perspective. I am a constitutional conservative, politically speaking…but I am much more than that. You may be a liberal, moderate, conservative, or undecided, and you are more than that as well. I started my show with the notion that everyone should believe exactly the way I do.  Of course, I didn’t really say it that way or consciously think that, but that’s basically how I felt. Over the past few weeks, people who have read and heard me speak have reached out to share their thoughts and experiences. Some in nicer ways than others, but all appreciated.  From reading and listening to people, I found a common thread on both sides of political issues.

People are not stupid. People are afraid. This fear comes from experience, real and completely justified fear from what is happening today in society, ignorance or not understanding issues (I often fall into this trap), and many other reasons, I’m sure. The paradigm for me is that starting from a point that others are afraid of something opens my heart to understanding. If I  shoot down those fears as “unjustified” I am only fueling the anger that exists.  I am dehumanizing the struggle of others and will never do any good.  It is possible to empathize with the fears of people I don’t agree with or even understand. This is not a “selling out” of my principles.

There are right and wrongs on both sides of issues.  There are very few absolutes (although there are some), and very few clear-cut answers to society’s problems. Even the founding fathers argued over issues that are “sacred” to the American way of life. In this week’s audio, I discuss two paradigm shifting (for me at least) articles.  The first is Federalist 1 by Alexander Hamilton and the 2nd is an Op Ed by Glenn Beck in the New York Times.

Alexander Hamilton is speaking in support of ratifying the Constitution.  He shares some insights specific to the argument of the day as well as some that transcend. He ultimately argues for a “vigorous government” vis a vie the Federal form of government espoused by the constitution versus the confederacy (or weak connection between separate nation-states) as the surest way to ensure the safety and liberty of the people. That discussion is better left for another day. What I took in context of understanding those I disagree is stated best by him:

“So numerous indeed and so powerful are the causes which serve to give a false bias to the judgment, that we, upon many occasions, see wise and good men on the wrong as well as on the right side of questions of the first magnitude to society. This circumstance, if duly attended to, would furnish a lesson of moderation to those who are ever so much persuaded of their being in the right in any controversy. And a further reason for caution, in this respect, might be drawn from the reflection that we are not always sure that those who advocate the truth are influenced by purer principles than their antagonists. Ambition, avarice, personal animosity, party opposition, and many other motives not more laudable than these, are apt to operate as well upon those who support as those who oppose the right side of a question.