I love quality debates. I love debates in which two debaters, with opposite points of views, present their arguments – each clearly and concisely articulating interesting, informative, persuasive ideas, supported by cited respected research. Oh, I love the feelings of sitting and listening to the first debater, in a cool, calm, coherent manner convincing me that his side of the argument is correct. “This is good stuff!” I find myself thinking, as his presentation sways my thoughts in his favor. I am convinced that he's going to win! His argument is so good that I cannot envision him loosing the debate.
Of course, my opinion changes a few minutes later, as I sit and listen to the second debater delivering the opposing argument. His delivery, which is as thorough, thoughtful, interesting, and persuasive as the first debater’s, pulls my thinking in the opposite direction.
I find that long after these types of debates (the physical presentations) are over, a tug-of-war between the two sets of wonderful ideas rages on in my head –sometimes for days and months to come. And this is good! Because the chief reward that these types of discourses bring is the fact that they make me more aware and appreciative of differences. They make me a better person by making me more sensitive to the beliefs, needs, thoughts, and fears of others: I can truly empathize with those on the left and those on the right, those on the top and those on the bottom.
I don’t think that I am alone; I think well- balanced, quality debates have similar effects on everyone.
Strong (or excellent) leaders encourage these types of balanced debates that allow the citizens to gain an authentic grasp of the issues from both sides. Strong leaders know that the end results are going to be the development of understanding, empathy, and the feelings of fairness in everyone. Moreover, strong leaders know that it will help the citizens to develop a real appreciation for the quagmire these leaders are in, and sympathy for the difficulty of the decisions these leaders are going to make.
Unfortunately, in today’s political climate of weak leadership, where both sides of the debate are too afraid to discuss raising taxes (especially on the riches ten percent of Americans), or closing the most flagrant tax loop-holes, or eliminating earmarks and subsidies for rich corporations, or any issue that benefits poor Americans (minimum wages, entitlements, etc.) these types of quality debates are becoming endangered species. And the United States is becoming an endangered nation!God help us!
by James A. Porter
