For those complaining about any congressperson stalling an agenda or being unwilling to compromise, or for an entire party to not vote for a particular bill, you don’t understand the role of those people.
The people in the House or Senate are voted for by the people. The people control the government. If your bill is not supported by any person, that means (or it should mean) that they were elected by people that don’t support that particular bill. They’re not the ones stalling anything, they’re doing the correct thing by representing the people that voted for them.
During President Biden’s speech today, he mentioned talking to certain Republican legislators and they had spoken to him in confidence that they wanted to vote for his bills, but they would get primaried (or voted out.) Part of that is pretty good, the other not so good.
First the right thing: They said they wanted to vote for it, but they aren’t going to. This is great news. This means this legislator is doing what he/she was expected to do by the voters that voted them into office. Whether it’s their personal belief or not doesn’t matter, he’s doing what his constituents want. Bravo.
Of course, that leads right to the bad thing. If you don’t feel this way, then you may be misleading your constituents. If you ran for office as being pro-choice, and that’s one of the main reasons that got you elected, then immediately vote against pro-choice policies, then you’re just saying whatever you want to get elected. That tells me that you’re just going to say what you need to say to get voted again. That tells me you want to be a career politician and not really do what the government is supposed to do.
So, to close the loop on this rant, Senators Manchin and Sinema and the entire Republican caucus aren’t stalling anything. If they disagree with certain parts of a bill, that’s not on them. That means they represent a part of the country that disagrees with what the government is trying to pass. We’re a Democratic Republic, not a full-blown democracy. We aren’t mob rule. If half the country doesn’t want a particular law passed, then the government is supposed to work together to compromise and find a happy medium for everyone. These days it’s all about forcing bills through process with no compromise.
All this to say, Democrats and Republicans are opposite sides of the same coin. They both do this. Make huge promises for when they control everything, then screwing over the people for the corporations that are really running the country. But that’s a topic for another day.
Vote Libertarian next time for some real change.
Good faith isn't just an attitude; it's a series of actions. It’s the commitment to a shared process, even when the topic is difficult. Here are the core traits to look for and to cultivate in yourself.
1. Intellectual Humility
This is the foundation of all productive conversations. It’s the understanding that your own perspective is incomplete and that you might be wrong. A person with intellectual humility isn't afraid to be proven wrong; they welcome it as an opportunity to learn.
What it sounds like:
"Based on my understanding... but I could be missing something."
"That's a good point. I hadn't considered it from that angle."
"Help me understand what led you to that conclusion."
Why it matters: It turns a confrontation into a collaboration. Instead of two certainties clashing, it becomes a mutual exploration of a topic.
2. The Principle of Charity
This is the commitment to interpreting the other person's argument in its strongest, most persuasive form. Instead of looking for flaws and attacking the ...
The worn leather of the armchair creaked a familiar protest as Michael settled in. Across from him, on the edge of the old sofa, sat David, a man whose face was as familiar as his own reflection, etched with thirty years of shared laughter, quiet commiserations, and unspoken understandings. But tonight, there was a tension in the air, a subtle crack in the foundation of their long-standing ease.
"Thanks for coming over, Dave," Michael began, his voice softer than usual. "There's… something we need to talk about. It feels like there's been a growing misunderstanding, and it's been weighing on me."
David nodded slowly, his gaze steady. "I'm listening, Mike."
Michael took a breath. "I've heard things, felt a distance. And it seems like you, and maybe others, have a picture of me that isn't true. Like I'm… someone I'm not. And I need to set the record straight."
He leaned forward, choosing his words carefully. "I want trans people to have the same freedom and rights as any non-trans person. I want ...
10 rules for a productive discussion about controversial topics.
1. The Prime Directive: Argue in Good Faith This is the foundational rule. Both parties must enter the conversation with the genuine intention of exploring the truth, not simply to "win," embarrass, or provoke. Assume the other person is also operating under this principle until proven otherwise.
2. Intellectual Humility: Be Willing to Be Wrong Enter the discussion with the understanding that your current position could be flawed or incomplete. The goal is to refine your own views through challenge, not just defend them at all costs. Acknowledge valid points made by the other person.
3. The Principle of Charity: "Steel Man" Their Argument, Don't "Straw Man" It Instead of misrepresenting your opponent's position to make it easier to attack (a "straw man" ), do the opposite. Articulate the strongest, most persuasive version of their argument you can, and then respond to that. If you're unsure, ask, "So, if I understand you correctly, you're saying ...
