A Really Short Vision

Gerry., I'm clueless. Help?

Christopher,

I made it too hard, but at least someone finally gave me that hint! I'll try one more hint and if that doesn't do it, I'll be happy to tell you. It's supposedly the only principle that unites all of the worlds major religions, which means that it must transcend religion as we know it and I think it could even work as a political principle.

do unto others

Okay James, I declare you the winner although you might have meant that modern form "do unto others before they do unto you." I simply meant The Golden Rule. I believe that if used it were politically and decisions were preconsidered in light of it, it would at least change the nature of debate from its typical, immediate nature to someting longer term. But mostly I'm anxious to see if anyone else thinks that I'm onto something here or not. As can be seen from my other posts, one of my great concerns is finding things that human beings can agree on so that we simply learn how to agree on the kind of global scale we so desperately need. I hope that this post engenders a forceful debate. If you don't think this would work, please explain why!

I am hesitant to use the term "the golden Rule" as the new golden rule guiding our current society is: "He who has the gold makes the rules."
Unfortunately your posting was a tad obscure for the general run of taste on Gather. I like Americans and spend quite a bit of time in conversation with Americans but, it cannot be denied, Americans are usually subtle in the way that flying bricks are subtle.

PS - My views on the disparity of opportunity in our collective societies can be easily divined by a quick peek at my archives and graphics.
the only sane ape in the pack.
JiMM

Thanks for your comment, James. I think you said that my posting was too subtle because Americans are not used to subtlety. Okay, I don't need to argue that point; I'd probably agree that we are by and large a superficial society. At the same time you seem to say that you like subtlety, and you changed the subject from the question of whether or not the Golden Rule would work as a political principle to a request to check out your views on the disparity of opportunity in our collective societies. So now I'm being downright blunt, but I really want to know if the idea is worth something. And I will follow the link to find out more about you.

The Golden Rule; do you really want to use that as a political tool? The real analogy is to use it as a Political weapon, politics is warfare in our culture. The Golden Rule can only be used as a Social Tool of binding and compromise at its least, at its best, an ideal to strive for, for the Golden Rule is ambiguous in goodness, who defines what is good? The key word: compromise. Yes you have merit, I fear the politicians, who are skilled at deception, will steal the concept and use it for political gain and to beat up the opposition. I will drop in to the Democratic Vision from time to time. Keep up the good work. Christopher

I don't think it's going to work Gerry. Everybody in Washington already thinks they follow the rule. Just ask them, they'll probably have a big debate about it, come up with some bills, and then argue about which of the two versions is right for a year or so, then pigeon-hole it.
I still think we should all go out and register as independents and see what happens. ;-)

John,

Thanks for joining the debate. I'm curious about why you think everybody in Washington follows the Golden Rule already. I can't remember ever hearing a politician refer to it to guide any issue. Not that I disagree with you that politicians would try to co-opt it; I just think that in doing so they would snare themselves into having people hold them accountable to it. Or at least I hope that might happen.

Part of the problem with my idea is that I haven't tried to propose a scenario in which it would be employed, but Chris (see above) is already thinking ahead to how a political party could use it not only as guidance but also as a weapon. I was kind of hoping that other people would pick up on the idea and propose outcomes if it were to be used politically, to fill in that gaping hole in my vision. I can sense it being employed but I'm having difficulty filling in the details. You've already started that process too with this comment--what would a bill introduced to this standard look like?

Hey, Gerry, just poking around. Your proposal is very sound, it's just got to get through layers of accumulated cynicism. And then be picked up by someone visible. Edwards, Obama might. Dennis is already there. Even Hil could embrace it. It's a good way to be religious without being religious or sectarian.