As I watch and listen to our country in chaos and frustration from elected officials to local citizens, I sometimes fear for our future.
So, after too many years as rhetorician, I am reminded of the following:
History tells us that the greatest logical fallacy is “Argumentum ad Hominem.” Good reasoning relies on verifiable evidence and independent reasoning, not personal attacks.
Great arguments may be presented by people we dislike or despise. Lousy arguments may be presented by people we love or admire.
“Identity politics” ignores substance and relies on emotion, not substance: that inevitably leads to bad decisions. Stop it!
Policies based solely on emotional dreams are almost always a disaster. Stop it!
Playing the “blame game” does not lead to actual solutions. Stop it!
Every successful policy requires a specific implementation plan. What we “want to be” is a dream. What we “can accomplish” is the reality.
The greatest theory embedded in the founding of our nation is the concept of a melting pot — a society with shared values that simultaneously encourages the special views and heritage of each of its citizens.
We now seem to be enamored with the creation of individual silos. Look around: the farmers abandoned their silos years ago. They were a total failure. We must abandon our personal silos. Stop it!
One more time, quit the blame game! Stop it!
Your neighbor is my neighbor. Let’s learn to respect the profound and valuable differences among our citizens. We can create a great nation for every citizen if we can just “stop it!”
Tim Browning
Centralia
