Political introspection would be good

Editor

A letter (Oct. 6) asked Democrats to write what they stood for. I am not a Democrat (nor a Republican) but here are a few thoughts anyway.

When asking people to think about human values, it helps if any person is willing to criticize his own thoughts as well as those of an opponent. Unfortunately the extreme polarization of Red and Blue camps makes this difficult. Instead of constructive "thinking," we regularly hear accusations, innuendos, half-truths, misquotes, and stark generalizations.

Many people have mixed feelings (disgust, embarrassment, pity) when listening to political arguments as each side asserts, "My delusions are grander than yours."

Here are just a few of the topics I wish all politicians (and students and voters) would discuss. Why do humans have governments? What are taxes for? How important is it to ensure that the less fortunate in society have adequate shelter, food, health and safety?

Can an extreme capitalistic approach (privatization) fill all the niches? For example, do private companies make needed vaccines when it is not profitable enough? Do private insurance companies help those who cannot afford the premium? What protections should government provide when the capitalistic approach falls short?

Assuming that we might make a few improvements, what might an "ideal" government be like? How about changing the systems of campaigning and voting to promote third (or more) party possibilities? Are we willing to learn anything from other countries?

If we ask citizens truly to "think" (rather than just spout the Red or Blue party lines) this could be opening a Pandora's Box — the results of which might promote the downfall of the Republican Party for the forseeable future (and probably the Demcratic Party as well).

Eric Hoffer wrote, "The beginning of thought is disagreement — not only with others but also with ourselves." Will the Reds and Blues ever look at their own faults?

Gene Johnson

Polson