A New Approach to Political Discussion–In Letter Form

A close friend of mine sent me the following email as part of an ongoing discussion between us on the topic of politics. He voted for McCain. I voted for Obama.

I see my response as a good way to give newfound meaning to political discussion that has been burdened and worn by labels that inject confusion and misdirection in to well-meaning discussion.

Tim writes:

i’ve been thinking and have come the the probability that you are redefining conservatism to fit your individual mold.

then, you will say that conservative fundamentals have been compromised already, especially by a christian religious base seeking to overthrow the will of a secular society.

then i will respond that christian conservatism is different from secular conservatism, but that both are branches of the same idea, to conserve worthwhile cultural aspects that are at risk of neglect or worse, being chosen as unworthy or against the mode of today’s society.

i do not project what you would say next.

but i am curious to know if you follow a specific branch of conservative aspects that can be clearly identified by a group that you can apply to.

Let’s try this, Tim. Let’s try to completely shed any use of labels. It’ll be like writing without the crutch of cliche´. In other words, we’re not allowed to use a word that’s loaded with ambiguous meaning as part of a definition.

Let’s start fresh.

Here are my basic values:

• Need to test beliefs – A conviction that dogmas, ideologies and traditions, whether religious, political or social, must be weighed and tested by each individual and not simply accepted on faith.
• Reason, evidence, scientific method – A commitment to the use of critical reason, factual evidence and scientific methods of inquiry, rather than faith and mysticism, in seeking solutions to human problems and answers to important human questions.
• Fulfillment, growth, creativity – A primary concern with fulfillment, growth and creativity for both the individual and humankind in general.
• Search for truth – A constant search for objective truth, with the understanding that new knowledge and experience constantly alter our imperfect perception of it.
• This life – A concern for this life and a commitment to making it meaningful through better understanding of ourselves, our history, our intellectual and artistic achievements, and the outlooks of those who differ from us.
• Ethics – A search for viable individual, social and political principles of ethical conduct, judging them on their ability to enhance human well-being and individual responsibility.
• Building a better world – A conviction that with reason, an open exchange of ideas, good will, and tolerance, progress can be made in building a better world for ourselves and our children.

I don’t find these values to be liberal or conservative; they just are. Perhaps only the means of achieving a particular goal deserve such labels.

So let’s start with the same question for you: what are your values? We need to define what our actual values are, and if they differ, before we can intelligently discuss a means of bringing those visions to pass.

Let’s proceed.

–
Daniel Miessler
E: Daniel@dmiessler.com
W: http://dmiessler.com
P: 0xD4A8FFF6