Trying to find common ground

[pegkerr]

In thinking over today's comment thread, I started to wonder: what do all Americans really agree on, no matter which side they voted yesterday? What can we build from there? I'm groping for utterly non-controversal commonalities, that neither side can reasonably claim that they have "staked" for their side alone, but that all Americans can say, oh, of course, we all believe that, no question.

Um. That every child should be wanted and welcomed. [Some suggest that this is not acceptable to pro-lifers because it's too "coded" for pro-choice. Well, pro-lifers? Do you object to this?] [change to:] That every child would have a loving home. [Thanks ambar]

Clean air and water.

Safe food and medicine.

That old age should be free from the fear of want.

That we are I am secure within our borders and when we I travel abroad.

That there is a value to society in educating the next generation. [Although not all are willing to help pay for it. cakmpls suggests that there are Americans who don't see the importance in placing a priority on anything for the generation after their own. Do you agree?][okay, per comment by cedarlibrarian below, this gets crossed off. *Sigh*]

Fiscal responsibility, a job for everyone who wants one [although some would limit jobs by race or gender][jiggery_pokery points out that full employment is held by some to drive up inflation, so there are some who don't want full employment, alas], food and shelter for everyone [not that we are willing to pay for these things for other people.]

An appreciation for the dignity of every human person regardless of age, sex, race, sexual preference, religious difference, or mental capability. [Sorry, _lindsay_, but too many Americans are not on board with these]

That people would be able to recover from setbacks such as loss of a job etc. [Again, although some of us aren't willing to pay for it]

That Americans can better their lot in life through their own hard work.

I recognize that the parties may differ in how these goals are achieved, but am I right that all agree they are worthwhile priorities? What others can you think of?

(kokopo? amandageist? Bueller?)

Edited to add: amandageist offered a long, thoughtful reply that ran too long to be a comment here, so she posted it in her own journal. I offer the link so that people can check it out and comment if they'd like.

Comments

[aome.livejournal.com]

I think 'fiscal responsibility', 'a job for those who want one' and 'food and shelter and freedom from violence' is in there, too. Again, differing on how those are achieved, but shared goals.

It always gets me when these basic shared visions come up in mud-slinging campaigns: "So and so voted against funding abuse shelters" (or voted to cut education funds, or whatever) and draws the conclusion that they are anti-education or anti-whatever - because I honestly can't imagine a single person out there who REALLY doesn't think that these basic shared goals that you've mentioned aren't good and important things. There have been measures on the ballot in the past that I felt represented good ideals, but I didn't like the suggestion of how we were going to pay for them, or I didn't like some other side feature, and so I voted against. Mud-slinging never paints that complete picture, of course, to say that so-and-so voted against X bill, but that was because it was flawed and the candidate felt there was a better way.

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

There are plenty of Americans who have no concern for "fiscal responsibility" whatsoever.

[aome.livejournal.com]

Hmm. Well, I think that they probably acknowledge that it's ideally a good thing, even if they don't put it at priority.

That goes for the 'clean air and water' thing too, btw.