I have been thinking about the wisdom in the Clint Eastwood super bowl commercial, which is now a political football. I can’t help but think that the best solutions meet the needs of the many. Extreme positions meet the wants of the few. We see these extremes every day.
There is a portion of the population that feels National Public Radio (NPR) gives out too much information. There is another portion that feels they don’t give out enough information.
There is a portion of the population that feels the future is best created from that which has been proven in the past. There is another portion that feels the future is best created from that which is possible and yet to be discovered.
There is a portion of the population that feels security is found in a strong military. There is another portion that feels security is found in social safety nets.
There is a portion of the population that feels the national rules we live by should be determined our religious beliefs. There is another portion that feels that our national rules should be determined by government.
There is a portion of the population that uses the fear of religious terrorism to stir the emotions of the community. There is another portion of the population that uses the fear of environmental terrorism to stir the emotions.
According to the authors of Getting to Yes, Roger Fisher and William L. Ury, these are positions, which in simple terms, are “what” we want, as opposed to an interest which is “why” we need it.
Without a dialog, we can’t get to the interests that drive the solutions. Without an open mind, we can’t have a dialog.
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