This blog site is designed to be used in conjunction with the Facebook Page of David Treppendahl. https://www.facebook.com/David.Treppendahl
DEFINITIONS
Consensus.
A general agreement reached by a group of people after considering different viewpoints, where no one necessarily gets everything they want, but everyone can accept the decision or direction as reasonable.
Democracy.
A form of government of the people and by the people for the benefit of the people. Our version – a democratic republic is a government by people that the electorate chooses to govern them. For democracy to work, the electorate must have sufficient consensus in choosing leaders who will implement the policies that a majority of the electorate accept as being reasonable.
No consensus, no democracy. or “United We Stand / Divided We Fall
However, if there is no consensus among the electorate as to what they want their government to do, then democracy won’t work. At some point democracy will become so dysfunctional that it will fail and it will necessarily be replaced by a more effective form of government – and that default government is rule by a strongman – an autocracy.
We/us.
“We” are the Facebook friends of David Treppendahl who participate in political discussions. We represent a broad range along the political spectrum. Heretofore, we have debated over political issues with no real compunction to agree. No more, the stakes are too high. Going forward, “We” are those among us who seriously endeavor to find common ground; it is those who recognize and agree that “WE MUST FIND CONSENSUS!”
HOW TO DO THIS
Get on the same page.
To participate in discussions, open the “Premise Essays” dropdown menu and read the three short essays.
Agree not to support or defend any current political leaders.
The current and past political leaders are the ones who got us into the huge messes we are now in. This is not about politicians, it is about problems we face and how to address them.
Generate consensus-oriented essays for discussion.
Approximately weekly, we will examine an essay on an issue. The essays will be posted in chronological order in the “Consensus Essays” dropdown box. The author of the essays will clearly identify a problem or issue and then suggest one or more solutions or perspectives where he/she thinks common ground can be found and consensus reached. David Treppendahl will author the initial essays. Other authors with different perspectives will be sought. There is a 700-word limit on the essays. The essays will include specific points where he/she hopes consensus can be found.
Role of Participants.
With open and objective minds, review the essays and see if there are points where you can agree with an author from a different team than you. If you are unable to find common ground with the author on any of his/her points, new relevant points that the author might agree with.
Comments are to be made on Facebook, not on the blog. Make comments on the Facebook post that match with the current essay. https://www.facebook.com/David.Treppendahl
Be kind and respectful. Keep in mind that WE MUST FIND CONSENSUS. Let’s prove that it can be done. The fate of our democracy may depend on it. For if we can’t, then who can?