I recently went on a fishing trip with an old friend and two new ones, an exercise in learning. The others, one a retired federal attorney, another an architect, and my close friend Mark, a retired business and real estate attorney, were all committed progressives. I’m a relatively conservative independent, one who understands the appeal of the Trump Presidency to much of the nation. We were fishing the same day that about five million Americans participated in the “No Kings” protest. My two new fishing friends were appalled that anyone could support the President. We became friends, but there remained a little tension even as we dined together.
Our conversations of what was right and working in the country versus areas of crisis were tinged by a genuine hatred for Trump. But in the end, what became clear is that we could not have a civil debate because we didn’t even agree on the definitions of what we discussed. It began with a difference over the founding of the country.
LIBERTY:
The state of being free within society from OPPRESSIVE restrictions imposed by authority on one’s way of life, behavior, or views. The primary founding vision for THE UNITED STATES is LIBERTY. Liberty applies to all of us and is critical in a nation where we are free to have very different views. It is why it is so difficult to settle the divide on issues like abortion rights. The supreme court decision that the federal government has no role in this issue fits the definitions of liberty in our constitution but infuriates those who saw the federal government as a policeman enforcing their views on the issue.
EQUITY VS EQUALITY:
EQUITY is the quality of being fair and impartial. A person or group attacking a problem with equity in mind focuses on being impartial to all in looking for solutions. It is the basis for demanding educational performance to give all citizens the best possible chance to advance themselves. It demands that authority (like government) treat everyone the same but understands that we are all different with different backgrounds and skills, and outcomes.
EQUALITY is the state of being equal, especially in status and rights. Where those who focus on equity try to level the playing field, those whose focus is equality do whatever is necessary to assure an equal outcome. Unless all finish the game relatively equal, the rules to the game need changing. Again, government is often called on to tip the scales to the desired outcome.
EMPATHY VS SYMPATHY:
EMPATHY is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. Can you step into their shoes even if you have never been in the same situation? Approaching with empathy demands that you support that person’s strengths and help them learn the skills to overcome.
SYMPATHY is a feeling of sincere concern for someone who is experiencing something difficult or painful. A person approaching a problem from a sympathy perspective must do everything possible to make the others pain go away to make their own pain stop.
One approach sees an imperialistic government solving problems: the other a liberated citizen.