Brian Burt's Blog: Work in Progress - Posts Tagged "civil-discourse"

As an SF writer, I have great respect for the scientific method. Rational debate based on facts and evidence are a healthy way to consider an issue from different angles, to reach consensus on causes... and, more importantly, on solutions.

So why, in America, have we completely lost the ability to apply this process to political science?

We all know our politics are a mess right now. We're all frustrated with the lack of progress, the utter inability to move forward. But I do see cause for optimism. It feels like we're approaching a critical mass of Americans who are fed up enough with both major political parties to start looking for civil, respectful alternatives to trench warfare.

Me? I'm declaring independence. Neither party deserves my loyalty or allegiance at this stage of the game; they aren't earning it and haven't for a long, long time. As far as I'm concerned, we need to treat them all, Republican or Democrat, with complete skepticism until they prove they deserve our vote. And that should be a probationary vote, contingent on actually cooperating across the aisle to implement solutions to the very real, very scary problems we face as a nation. If they sit around bashing the other side and making excuses about why they can't get things done -- or, worse, if they brag about blocking the other side -- then they forfeit the right to any vote in the future.

Both parties are guilty. Both parties have some good ideas. And both are essential to actually doing anything significant to benefit their broader, shared constituency. I think many in Congress want to work together, to actually get stuff done. So it's our job, as voters, to support the ones who bridge the partisan divide and not punish them. It's our job to reward commonsense compromise instead of treating it as treachery. That's the way we all win, in the end. That's how big problems get solved.

So here are two very cool organizations that are working to make that a reality. Check them out, listen to what they have to say. Then consider declaring your independence, too.

NO LABELS

No Labels was founded by a frustrated mix of Republicans and Democrats who were fed up with the dysfunction in D.C. and decided to take action. They've recruited members of Congress from both major parties in equal numbers to join their Problem Solvers Caucus, a group of legislators who pledge to work across the aisle to find common ground and get things done. They're still a minority in Congress... but their ranks are growing, and their message resonates with voters. Find out more about them, and support their cause!

BETTER ANGELS

The mission of Better Angels is to depolarize the American electorate -- to bring voters from both sides of the political divide together, convince them to have an actual conversation, and show them how much they have in common. Radical concept, eh? It's worked wonders in cities all around the country, getting Republicans and Democrats to stop shouting at each other and actually have meaningful discussions. Many have even wound up becoming friends. Check 'em out!

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Science fiction has always pushed us out of our comfort zones, taking us beyond the traditional boundaries into unexplored territory. Unfortunately, civil discourse and functioning government now seem more alien and fantastical than Tatooine. It doesn't have to be that way. If enough of us refuse to accept any more "us vs. them," maybe we can force our political leaders to once again act like adults. In the real world, every day, we all accept the fact that we need to work together and compromise to get our jobs done.

It's way past time that folks in Washington got real.

#SFWApro