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Common ground instead of bickering differences - 6/7/2011 8:39:21 AM

OrionTheWolf

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This kind of ties into the cult of personality topic, but more specific.

In my business I often have to bring together people that have different ideas on what the problems are, and different ways to solve them. The first thing we do is find all the common ground areas, and work for solutions there. It starts to create a spirit of cooperation, showing that the main priority is actually solving problems. It then becomes easier to tackle the differences.

In the areas where there are differences, each person states what they see, and why. Then those are prioritized by a decision maker/s. Then these are looked at one at a time, with each person stating possible solutions. Then the top suggestions are taken, and teams are created to do further research. These teams are not split along the lines of those that agree about something all assigned to the same team, but instead mixed. The reason for this is so that many different perspectives can be gained.

Once research is done, the decision makers then again make decisions. This has often helped companies with their immediate issues, but also is an exercise in teamwork, with different perspectives, to reach goals.

Why can this not be used by our elected officials in a more effective manner?

Is there common ground between the various perspectives?

Can common ground be reached?

Change starts with you, not some political campaign.

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RE: Common ground instead of bickering differences - 6/7/2011 8:58:24 AM

DarkSteven

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The pols are in it for reelection, not to accomplish anything. Much easier to demonize the other party's plan and claim credit for blocking it, than to make something work.

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RE: Common ground instead of bickering differences - 6/7/2011 9:07:50 AM

Louve00

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quote:

ORIGINAL: OrionTheWolf

This kind of ties into the cult of personality topic, but more specific.

1)Why can this not be used by our elected officials in a more effective manner?

2)Is there common ground between the various perspectives?

3)Can common ground be reached?

4)Change starts with you, not some political campaign.

I think, just like the point Julia was making in her politics and personality of cult thread this is not used by our elected officials because it's a party issue.

1) Our elected officials are too busy supporting their party and not the causes or issues

2) Of course common ground can be found, but it gets back to who's keeping score....and who's team (party) is winning or most popular.

3) I think when they quit keeping score and address the issues and problems at hand with sincerity, common ground will be found

4) This couldn't be more true, but sadly, as it turns out, it winds up defaulting back to those same policial campaigns and parties.

I think politicians lose sight of thier mission statement because they don't want "their side" to lose "the game". As a result, everyone loses.....and everyone fights about it.

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RE: Common ground instead of bickering differences - 6/7/2011 9:10:12 AM

hlen5

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I think Orion's situation is how Congress is supposed to work I remember hearing about the politicians of the 50's spendng time with each other outside the Capitol. They'd argue like hell for their sides, hammer it out and all go out and knock a few back after 5 pm.

I truly believe we get the politicians we deserve. What is the electorate doing wrong, that we're getting such weasels in government?

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RE: Common ground instead of bickering differences - 6/7/2011 9:22:27 AM

Anarrus

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As George Carlin said in his Why I Don't Vote monologue...."garbage in-garbage out".

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RE: Common ground instead of bickering differences - 6/7/2011 9:26:32 AM

pahunkboy

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I get along with everybody. So I am not the problem.

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RE: Common ground instead of bickering differences - 6/7/2011 9:32:14 AM

willbeurdaddy

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quote:

ORIGINAL: OrionTheWolf

This kind of ties into the cult of personality topic, but more specific.

In my business I often have to bring together people that have different ideas on what the problems are, and different ways to solve them. The first thing we do is find all the common ground areas, and work for solutions there. It starts to create a spirit of cooperation, showing that the main priority is actually solving problems. It then becomes easier to tackle the differences.

In the areas where there are differences, each person states what they see, and why. Then those are prioritized by a decision maker/s. Then these are looked at one at a time, with each person stating possible solutions. Then the top suggestions are taken, and teams are created to do further research. These teams are not split along the lines of those that agree about something all assigned to the same team, but instead mixed. The reason for this is so that many different perspectives can be gained.

Once research is done, the decision makers then again make decisions. This has often helped companies with their immediate issues, but also is an exercise in teamwork, with different perspectives, to reach goals.

Why can this not be used by our elected officials in a more effective manner?

Is there common ground between the various perspectives?

Can common ground be reached?

Change starts with you, not some political campaign.

In addition to the reelection issue, I don't think the standard approach to business problem solving you outlined is effective in all situations. Politics naturally leads to large philosophical divides, business usually doesnt. In situations where there is a large philosophical issue in business (selling off subsidiaries, expanding into new lines of business, selling the company) there are entrenched positions and a final decision maker who's decision is almost impossible to override.

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and harken
to the barking of the dogfox,
gone to ground.

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RE: Common ground instead of bickering differences - 6/7/2011 9:36:17 AM

Louve00

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Anarrus

As George Carlin said in his Why I Don't Vote monologue...."garbage in-garbage out".

I think George Carlin made a lot of good points in his comedy. From Why I Don't Vote, to The American Dream, to Saving the Planet. At least he makes us laugh about......ourselves?

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For the great majority of mankind are satisfied with appearance, as though they were realities and are often more influenced by the things that seem than by those that are. - Niccolo Machiavelli

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RE: Common ground instead of bickering differences - 6/7/2011 10:19:20 AM

kdsub

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In your example the two companies are working together to increase profit.

With elected officials there is no advantage in working together for a common goal. If they do neither side achieves recognition and the benefit of reelection.

Of course we all want them to work together for our benefit but that would negate the purpose for a political party. As long as we have this system we will have to pick one party and put all our eggs in their basket.

There are some advantages… it allows for a quick change of policy and opposing ideas for consideration. But... it also encourages a gridlock where no useful legislation is passed.

Butch

< Message edited by kdsub -- 6/7/2011 10:21:04 AM >

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RE: Common ground instead of bickering differences - 6/7/2011 10:27:06 AM

juliaoceania

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quote:

The first thing we do is find all the common ground areas, and work for solutions there. It starts to create a spirit of cooperation, showing that the main priority is actually solving problems. It then becomes easier to tackle the differences.

If you read the Federalist Papers, you get the feeling that "cooperation" wasn't exactly a principle that they were looking for.... especially in regard to factionalism, which in turn is the basis of our two party system. When you only have two parties, one side can obstruct the other, they have no motivation to cooperate. If you wanted to put forward a system of government in which there would be more cooperation to solve problems, you would need at least 4 parties.

That is just my observation

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RE: Common ground instead of bickering differences - 6/7/2011 10:42:36 AM

SilverMark

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The absolute dislike that is displayed durring elections, leads to absolute dislike while serving. With the advent of the disrespect shown on the net, on talk radio and TV, with no tolerance for others opinions, we have set a course of mutually agreed upon, gridlock.

Identifying the problem is easy, solving it when the public is as bad at hating as the politicians are at spreading the hate, is much more difficult.

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RE: Common ground instead of bickering differences - 6/7/2011 10:45:32 AM

juliaoceania

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quote:

ORIGINAL: SilverMark

The absolute dislike that is displayed durring elections, leads to absolute dislike while serving. With the advent of the disrespect shown on the net, on talk radio and TV, with no tolerance for others opinions, we have set a course of mutually agreed upon, gridlock.

Identifying the problem is easy, solving it when the public is as bad at hating as the politicians are at spreading the hate, is much more difficult.

Here is the problem, the more negative they get, the more people are turned off and they do not turn up to the polls. The less people involved in our democracy, the easier we are to control. Looking at the larger picture, they can't fail because people are tuned out....

_____________________________

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RE: Common ground instead of bickering differences - 6/7/2011 11:00:13 AM

willbeurdaddy

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quote:

ORIGINAL: SilverMark

The absolute dislike that is displayed durring elections, leads to absolute dislike while serving. With the advent of the disrespect shown on the net, on talk radio and TV, with no tolerance for others opinions, we have set a course of mutually agreed upon, gridlock.

Identifying the problem is easy, solving it when the public is as bad at hating as the politicians are at spreading the hate, is much more difficult.

Im more optimistic than you are. I don't think things are destined to degenerate to dislike/hate between government officials as much as it appears you do. There are wide philosophical differences. Most people don't bother to understand what the other side is really saying, and the nature of politics is to take advantage of that lack of understanding in hyperbolic speechifying and demagoguery. So yes, there is dislike/hatred among the general public.

The unfortunate development in government is that despite his claims that he could effectively reach across the aisle, Obama's immediate stance was "elections have consequences" and "we're driving this bus". Pelosi and Reid, idealogues to the hilt, took that as their cue to exclude the GOP from any meaningful role in formulating policy. Further, despite Obama's cries for more civil discourse, the Dems still send out attack dogs like Grayson and Weiner, and produce inflammatory Mediscare ads. With more effective leadership (unless gridlock is exactly what he wants and Obama is being very effective as a leader) I think things could actually improve.

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RE: Common ground instead of bickering differences - 6/7/2011 11:17:37 AM

OrionTheWolf

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quote:

ORIGINAL: kdsub

In your example the two companies are working together to increase profit.

Actually someone else touched on it. The method used was not originally done in business, but in governments of a couple of ancient civilizations.

quote:

With elected officials there is no advantage in working together for a common goal. If they do neither side achieves recognition and the benefit of reelection.

This is where the voters of this country must make it to their benefit.

quote:

Of course we all want them to work together for our benefit but that would negate the purpose for a political party. As long as we have this system we will have to pick one party and put all our eggs in their basket.

No it would not negate the purpose of political parties, as the more perspectives on an issue, the more discussion and possible approaches to solution you have.

quote:

There are some advantages… it allows for a quick change of policy and opposing ideas for consideration. But... it also encourages a gridlock where no useful legislation is passed.

Butch

Yeah there is not been much useful legislation passed, when compared to the time spent in other non-productive areas.

"A government that fears the people, is a democracy. A government that the people fear is tyranny."

Our officials must begin to fear the American people collectively. The spin and rhetoric used to keep the American people divided is done purposefully by the majority of politicians. If another government tried to cause division in our country, purposefully, to achieve their agenda of control, what would it be viewed as?

Just a few thoughts, as once we start seeing common ground achieved in forums, and discussion groups, it will spread from there if we have the will to keep a republic.

_____________________________

When speaking of slaves people always tend to ignore this definition "One who is abjectly subservient to a specified person or influence."

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RE: Common ground instead of bickering differences - 6/7/2011 11:22:07 AM

Musicmystery

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quote:

Change starts with you, not some political campaign.

Orion,

Interesting that the bulk of the responses simply ignored this part and went back to assigning blame.

Until enough people tip the balance, we'll be in status quo.

But it's like snow falling on an evergreen branch.

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RE: Common ground instead of bickering differences - 6/7/2011 2:50:26 PM

juliaoceania

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Musicmystery

quote:

Change starts with you, not some political campaign.

Orion,

Interesting that the bulk of the responses simply ignored this part and went back to assigning blame.

Until enough people tip the balance, we'll be in status quo.

But it's like snow falling on an evergreen branch.

Gandhi said, "Be the change you want to see in the world"... and anyone that has ever taken up the mantel of political activism knows this. If you look at what real change looks like, it is a system change that is needed, and most people are not ready for that.

But, isn't useful to let the perfect be the enemy of the good, so we make do with what we have.

_____________________________

Once you label me, you negate me ~ Soren Kierkegaard

Reality has a well known Liberal Bias ~ Stephen Colbert

Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people. Eleanor Roosevelt

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RE: Common ground instead of bickering differences - 6/7/2011 2:53:54 PM

Musicmystery

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Begs the question.

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RE: Common ground instead of bickering differences - 6/7/2011 8:42:20 PM

Owner59

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What if though Orion,republicans/conservatives use race baiting,call our President a communist,secrete Muslim(fear-mongering)make nazi associations(death-panels)other dirty tricks,etc.(and that`s just the GOP leadership)?Never mind the things neo-cons say about Obama and liberals in the MSM.

We shouldn`t respond and respond in kind?

We are only just now standing up and fighting back,giving blow for blow after years of not responding.

You,Karita and Thaddeus are the only few conservatives with integrity who post here.One can expect a honest debate with no dirty tricks or trolling w/ nonsense relies(rich) from you three.

Maybe you don`t realize or care but you conservatives who do play it honest, don`t exemplify the republican party or it`s leaders or conservatives here.

I wish you would post more but I know we all have a life.

< Message edited by Owner59 -- 6/7/2011 8:43:46 PM >

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RE: Common ground instead of bickering differences - 6/7/2011 11:27:05 PM

Edwynn

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Lest it might have escaped notice, I think that Orion is just tired enough of the three useless Sarah Palin threads per day, and was wondering if anybody had anything meaningful to say.

I'd be with him on that one.

PS

Anybody who could figure out how to shut up brain or willbe would get an instant Nobel prize from me.

< Message edited by Edwynn -- 6/7/2011 11:33:47 PM >

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Post #: 19

RE: Common ground instead of bickering differences - 6/7/2011 11:32:53 PM

Owner59

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From: Dirty Jersey
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Ignore them.Or poke fun.

But don`t quit.

"You miss one hundred percent of the shots you don't take.."
— Wayne Gretzky

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"As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals"

President Obama

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