Unanimous...it's such an amazing word. To have something be unanimous it means that everyone has agreed to agree to the same thing. It's something that we want to hear when our government makes a decision. Or is it?
If there was no debate, where would
there be discourse? If there was no difference of opinions, where
would be the chance for growth? Differing thoughts are what make us
who we are. It's as much a part of us as breathing. So why would we
want a unanimous decision anywhere?
There are times when something like
that would be useful. I know we all want to see Congress do things
unanimously that would benefit our nation such as more money for food
stamps, Medicaid, and education and stricter regulations and
penalties for big banks and the rich. What do the debates between
them show?
They show us where people's priorities
are. They show us who wants to give back to the nation and who wants
to keep everything for themselves. They can give us an idea who is
supporting their paychecks from lobbyists rather than actually
representing the people of their home state. Above all, it can show
us the differences of opinions among everyone else and not just those
in power.
No one thinks the exact same way as
another person. Thoughts may be similar, but the way they got to that
point is very different. We don't always agree with each other, and
we've taken that to mean that we must be right and the next person
wrong and we have to do anything we can to force them to see things
our way.
It doesn't work, and all it does is
cause friction and unhappiness. It can destroy friendships. It can
ruin marriages. It can cost you your job. Being willing to listen to
and accept other people's thoughts, even if you don't agree with
them, is the best way to deal with things. We're all human though,
and we won't always manage this. I know I don't.
If ever there was a unanimous decision
in Congress, I think I'd be scared. I'd wonder who paid off who. I'd
also like to know what the result of such a decision would mean for
the rest of the country. I don't trust that those men and women would
ever totally agree on anything without some kind of outside pressure.
What about you? Is there any time in
your life that something has been unanimous? Did it work out the way
you planned?
Hm, I can't think of anything unanimous off hand, but that might be because I'm terrible with coming up with responses when asked something :P. I think you're right that unanimity is a sign that something's wrong. Sometimes it seems like people disagree for the sake of disagreeing.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right about that. Some people like to debate things so they'll disagree just to start a debate.
DeleteCongress and unanimous in the same sentence? I think that would rip the space time continuum into shreds.
ReplyDeleteYes it would. It would probably give the citizens of the United States a collective heart attack as well.
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