My invitation to American conservatives (I posted this on another forum)

[Ardent15]

This was me reaching out across the aisle to conservatives on another forum.

If it fails, at least I can say I tried, and they will have no grounds for attacking me for "not reaching out" or "listening to their ponit of view."

"First, if you haven't guessed by my posts already, I'm very liberal.

Now that that's out of the way, here's my invitation to American conservatives to participate meaningfully in the political dialogue.

I think we all want this nation to be strong, prosperous, peaceful, and healthy. And I think we can all agree that in recent history, our government in Washington has failed miserably.

The media loves to talk about our differences and what divides us, but really, we're not that different from each other. We all want clean air, good schools, safe neighborhoods, good-paying jobs, affordable health care, protection from foreign enemies. The key differences between liberals and conservatives, in my mind, has less to do with belief than with strategy of getting things done.

So, here's my invitation to conservatives. I would love to discuss ideas that we can find common ground on-whether it be health care, education, stimulating the economy, tax cuts, national security,etc.

One thing we can find common ground on is that there are too many lobbyists in Washington, and their influence is far too great over our politics. Also, most agree that Wall Street has treated this nation poorly and been rewarded handsomely for it, leaving Main Street to suffer.

Another thing that most people agree with, regardless of whether you believe the science of global warming or not, is that we need to find cleaner, more efficient sources of energy.

Finally, I think most people are sick and tired of the tone of the debate-the partisan bickering and childish silliness that too passes for argument and debate.

If there's anything more to add, let me know."

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

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[Ardent15]

2. Why was this unrec'd?

Just wanting to know.

Is reaching across the aisle a bad thing?

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

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[suede1]

4. Nothing wong with that. Some right wingers are awful people, bigots and such, but others are just

uninformed and kind of brain-washed. Ten years ago they weren't as nuts as they are now. So, it's good to find common ground.

[indy legend]

5. A republican wet dream

Right wingers were not as bad 10 years ago as they are now. It's scary to imagine what they will be like 10 years from now if Republicans in government regain control of anything. I can see the agenda now.
1.No health care for the mentally or physically handicapped. They serve no useful purpose
2.No minimum wage. If someone in Haiti can work for 25 cents an hour why can't you. It's the free market at work.
If you can't get by on 40-60 hours a week get 2nd or 3rd job. Hell there's 168 hours in week. You can work 4.2 full time jobs in that time.
3.No more funding for essential services like fire and police. In a "free" society you should have to negotiate the best private deal you can find.
Hopefully they can cash your check or run your credit card before your house burns down or you are dead.
Oh, you are broke, No credit card...sorry about your damn luck.
4.No more lawyers. Corporations should be able to harm the helpless without any repercussions.
5.No more school lunch programs. And we must cut education funding. Hell if we feed poor kids and educate them they might grow up to learn to vote in
their own best interest and we can't have that. Republicans would never win an election then.
6.More media deregulation. There just isn't enough right wing talk radio out there to adequately carpet bomb society and brain wash them. Oh and it's now
mandatory. Every one must watch Fox News to be educated or in the case of normal thinking progressives re-educated.Gotta keep things Fair and balanced.
7.No more medicare or Medicaid. If you are poor or sick it has to be your fault, and we can't have you being a drain on society.
8.No more freedom of or from religion. You will accept our version of a loving caring God or die.
9.No more gay people. "It just ain't natural don't ya know"
10.No more protest. We know whats best for you and will submit.
11.No more funding for infrastructure. Who cares if a bridge collapses and kills people? They shouldn't have been on it in the first place.
12.We must further deregulate the banks,the oil companies, the insurance companies, the large corporations and the pharmaceutical companies.
If you don't like it start your own.

Once the the tea baggers get their way and all this comes to pass imagine how surprised they are going to be when they wake up and find their masters have shackled them right next to a progressive who was fighting to help keep them free. Then they will realize we really do have a lot in common. Good luck reaching across the aisle to do anything about it then.

[-wulf-]

7. Luncay

Seriously?

The above post is a prime example of the ignorance that is dividing our people on "both sides of the aisle." The problem is almost that there is an aisle to cross in the first place.

This is an example of sweeping generalizations taken to an extreme, no matter which side of the argument is making the accusations.

I agree with the first post in this thread whole-heatedly.

While I don't subscribe to the Republican party, I would describe my view points as keeping in line with the basic premisis and rules laid out in the Bill of Rights and the Constitution.

I would say that when it comes to balancing the budget, the first action should be to eliminate wasteful spending, and then raise taxes as needed.

I think that my state and local government should have more impact on my day to day life than the federal government. I think that doing so allows citizens to have more direct control over their government and helps ensure that the laws that govern them are best suited to their particular needs.

This does not mean that I am anti-taxation, or anti-government, or some other form of "right wing extremist."

[indy legend]

8. It's called

sarcasm. You know taking an argument to a ridiculous extreme to show the other side how ridiculous they can be. It's that thing Rush so proudly claims to do on over 600 stations for three hours everyday. I wish we could reach out and find common ground and maybe you are that first person on the right to really want to do that but every republican I know believes compromise mean their way only and anything short of that is unacceptable. Unfortunately the left is all to willing to make these concessions to the point of not getting anything done. I've watched this country get compromised into the sewer for the last 30 years. I'd like us to all work together to save what's left but for God's sake you gotta give us something to work with. Sorry if I didn't make it clear I was being sarcastic. A person on the right who wants real dialog is someone I applaud and if you are sincere It would be a welcome change of pace. It's just that it's hard to believe here in Indy where every one on the right seems to be a well programed walking far far right talking point.

[gateley]

6. I really think it's, reasoned and sincere. Thom Hartmann believes we

(meaning 'we' and 'they') should do exactly that -- come together on the issues we agree, and with the combined strength and numbers we may be able to accomplish things.

Have you heard back? I'm guessing that, wherever you posted, is kind of like here. Some people will take your invitation in the manner intended and open a dialogue, others won't be able to get past their own walls.

Let us (or me) know how it goes, okay? I've often thought of doing that but I sure couldn't have expressed myself as well. Good on you! :hi;