The difference between differing and parting ways

I like peas, you like carrots.

I like swimming, you like golf.

These are differences we can live with.

Let’ move on to some bigger issues,

I may think big government (aka national government) is good. You may think it’s overblown and overreaching. You may prefer states rights.

Maybe there can be a nuanced solution here.

Maybe big government can come to the rescue concerning matters such as national disasters, pandemics and global warming. Let’s save big government for big solutions that require economy of scale.

Maybe the states rights with a more locally based approach can offer creative solutions tailored to local needs and preferences. With education (for example), maybe charter schools, home schooling and learning pods for people of all income levels (see my blog concerning creative education alternatives for details) might best be addressed at the entrepreneurial local level.

The key to getting along in the above scenarios is having some flexibility in our assumptions.

Now lets move to the more sensitive cultural, moral and religious differences.

Let’s jump right in and tackle pro-life vs. pro choice.

If the pro-life position holds firm that life begins at the moment of conception, there can be no compromise on this. If there is any wiggle room on this matter concerning abortions at the very early pregnancy stage, then a compromise might be struck.

If there can be no compromise, then the previously described states rights approach might be considered. If the majority of persons in a state vote for pro-life (for example), then so be it for that state. (likewise for pro-choice if the majority feels that way). If persons in the pro-life state seek an abortion, let them travel to the pro-choice state. If they can not afford such travel, let private funding be available to them from those who support pro-choice.

To steal a line from a song by a band called The Clash, the vexing question is “should I stay or should I go?”. How and when do we know in our personal relations from the family/friend level up through the national level that “it’s time to go”. To sift through this dilemma, I offer the following criteria’s:

• TRUST: Once the trust is gone, it’s time to go. You may be able to chuckle at the same joke or agree that it’s a sunny day but if there’s no trust beyond that, then it’s time to sever ties.
• Absolutely nothing in common: If you make a checklist and on EVERY issue, EVERY topic, you line up opposed to eachother, it’s time to say adios.
• Core values are completely different: If you find yourself feeling that you come from different planets, maybe you do.