OPINION

Keep calm and debate-on

by Pam Hennigan
Contributor

There’s an old phrase that says to never talk about religion or politics.

I disagree. When we don’t have this conversation, we tend to fear the “other” and we don’t understand one another, and we don’t understand how the political process works.

Elsewhere to today’s edition we offer some information about how to register and learn that’s on the 2018 ballot.

Here I suggest some ways to be sure you’re informed and ready for meaningful conversations.

Try asking a few questions to understand the candidates. Or take advantage of many town hall meetings, coffee hours, and forums where you can go and listen to the candidates discuss topics and ask questions to potential constituents.

• Is the candidate knowledgeable and open-minded about the issues that are important to you, and how do they react to a difference of opinion on those issues? Are they open to other ideas? Where do they stand on important issues?

•What are the credentials of the candidate?

• What other jobs have they had, and how much did they excel at those jobs?

• If a candidate wins the election how will their platform and ideas affect me and the people around me?

• How can their policies change the landscape of my community?

• Each candidate will have pros and cons.

• Do the pros outweigh the cons? Will the candidate vote for policy because the political party says to, or will they break party lines to vote in a manner of the people who elected them?

• Who stands to benefit from the candidate’s policies and platform?

I would encourage everyone to have a discussion with people they know about politics and the political system.

Most candidates have a website with their platform listed along with a biography of themselves. This is a good place to start, but also look at what they are saying about their opponents, and fact-check their statements. Some solid fact-checking websites include: http://www.politifact.com/ and https://www.factcheck.org/

Share your thoughts and ideas with others, while keeping the dialogue open and honest.

When strong opinions with differences come together there will be conflict, and it will get heated. If all parties can agree to a healthy discussion we can all feel safe participating.

When the conversation starts to degrade to name calling and insults, it makes people not want to talk to each other.

When members of the community discuss these topics we all learn something from different perspectives. It makes us more honest and connected to each other.