You know who you support for president and why. You also probably know who you support in your state legislative race, for Congress, for county commission, and town dog-catcher. But do you know why your friends and family support their candidate?I think a major problem we have in our country is a lack of understanding of the "other side." You either know that Barack Obama will renew our country to greatness or that John McCain will be the courageous leader our nation needs. At night you either watch Keith Olbermann or Sean Hannity, comfortable in knowing that "your guy" has it right and the "other guy" is nuts.
We want a leader who works in a "bipartisan" way. But we use that term as a catchphrase without practicing it ourselves. How many of us really understand "the other side"? Why does our neighbor or friend or family member support "their" side?
Here's a great idea I couldn't resist passing along. It's not a "sexy" idea but it is certainly a sensible one. Phil Noble in an op-ed in The State newspaper last week suggested the following:
I am encouraging everyone — Obama and McCain supporters — to find someone who thinks differently and bet a barbecue dinner on the election. It will be good for the country. It will be good for our state.Now, to be clear, Noble is an Obama supporter. He is president of the South Carolina New Democrats and was heavily involved in Obama's S.C. campaign. But regardless of your political persuasion, Noble's suggestion makes all kind of sense. He continues:
Back to the Palmetto state and that bar-b-que dinner. Tough elections about big issues are part of what makes us special as South Carolinians and Americans. So, no matter who you support today, find someone that supports the other guy and bet them a bar-b-que dinner on the race. And, when it's all over and the winner is clear, enjoy your dinner, settle your bet, and then talk to your friend about the future and how we can make it better.He's talking to his fellow South Carolinians but his advice applies no matter where you live, no matter how blue, red, or yellow your state is. I hope you will take his challenge. You certainly know someone who disagrees with your choice for president (or dog-catcher). We are so taken with the scintillating and the scandalous (that is, the "sexy") from the day's news that we no longer sit down to talk about the "sensible."
The nation will only emerge victorious (regardless of which candidate wins) if citizens like us are willing to engage with each other in meaningful, purposeful dialogue. It's becoming a lost art in this country. Can we reclaim it?
