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

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

I think most people believe that we should all have a chance to recover from minor setbacks. Losing one family member's job, for example, should not be immediately and irrevocably catastrophic for the family. I think most of us believe in at least some second chances.

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

I think that's true. And you make me think of something else: that an American should be able to better his or her station in life through hard work.

Although, I suppose that for some that would only be his. *Sigh*

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

No, I really think that most people believe it's his or her. It's just that some of them think "her" work should be specific things. I think they'd agree, for example, that a mother who works hard at making a good home and raising her children well should see an improvement in her situation over one who doesn't work hard at those things.

And I believe that of mothers, too. It's just that I believe the same of fathers who work hard at making good homes and raising their children well, and I don't believe that in either case it has to be the parent's only work.

A little bit related. Maybe.

[amandageist.livejournal.com]

Somewhat off-topic--but have you read "The Mask of Motherhood" by Susan (I think it's Susan) Maushart? It's wonderful--a great analysis and presentation of how our society today loves pregnant women but makes very little effort to accommodate (or even recognize) the unique problems of mothers. Not specifically American, either; she's not, and her case studies span several countries.

ANYway, she points out that while life choices for men have changed very little over the years: work or be a bum (to grossly paraphrase), for women, the choices have changed drastically. We can work, stay at home, have children, not, etc. She does not advocate returning to the social rigidity of earlier eras--but I think it *is* a fair point that being faced with a choice, having to choose, and then having to defend that choice, is an "extra" stress that women all have to face, and that men have not had to, don't, and don't really understand.

It's a very good book. Very engaging writing style.

My, look how a couple days off from work has made me an LJ spammer. Apologies that you seem to be the primary victim, Peg. Rest easy; back to work tomorrow.

~Amanda