Common Sense Party

So much has happened in the world since my previous artical, and I’ve spent a lot of time quietly observing and reflecting. Recently, something struck me deeply enough that I felt compelled to share my thoughts with you.

In today’s political climate, it seems we have an abundance of “problem identifiers” but a shortage of problem solvers—on both sides of the aisle. This realization took me back to when I first discovered my knack for finding solutions rather than just pointing out issues.

I want to set politics aside for a moment and focus on what we see every day on social media. You may have come across comments like “the people who want a separate halftime show are the same ones who wanted different drinking fountains,” or “I don’t want to listen to a halftime show that’s all in Spanish.” Both statements point out problems as their authors see them.

But when I look at these words, I don’t see them as the root cause of any issue; rather, they seem like veils covering deeper truths that people might be hesitant to express. At their core, both statements reflect an underlying sentiment: “My fears and concerns are not being heard or validated.” One is saying, “I’m afraid of losing what I believe is the moral fabric of America,” while the other is expressing, “I feel a loss of acceptance for all people in America.”

When viewed this way, is there really so much room for argument? Both perspectives show care for what America means to them and anxiety about its future values. The first step toward resolving such differences is acknowledging that both feelings can be valid—even if we don’t personally agree with them.

So here’s my gentle challenge: sit down with someone whose views differ from your own and truly listen. Remember the wisdom that says we have two ears, two eyes, and only one mouth—so let’s listen more than we speak. In doing so, we might learn far more about each other than by simply trying to win an argument.

Thank you for reading my thoughts—I appreciate your time and consideration