Can we bridge the gap between right and left? I think so!
Earlier this summer I found myself in quite the conversation with a truly lovely person. A very left leaning soul, my words were chosen cautiously as our dialogue predictably made its way to the mandates and vaccines. As she revisited the list of decisions made to help everyone ‘get through the pandemic safely with as little harm as possible’, it was obvious she truly believed it was all for the greater good and successfully so. She was also looking for validation.
Ruminating on that conversation for days brought me to a realization of my own. No matter where we sit on the political spectrum, left or right, our values have a common theme. We want what’s best for everyone and to see everyone succeed. How those values play out practically is where we find division. Though the issues of concern are endless, there are three that sum it up well: Charity, equal opportunity, and freedom of speech.
Everyone agrees philanthropy and supporting locally is both important and beneficial to maintaining a strong and healthy society. Typically, conservative types like to decide for themselves what they want to support. If we like what a charity is doing, we donate or volunteer; if we don’t, we don’t. If we are happy with the products a store is selling and its associated business practices, we shop there; if we don’t, we don’t.
The more liberal/socialist folks have a different view. They tend to believe that everyone should support everything they do without question. Anyone that does not align with or support those values should be shut down. Their cancel culture can be so pervasive, no one is immune. Not even their own. Yet they preach equal opportunity for all.
The way equal opportunity is defined among left and right is also interesting. Success looks different for everybody and everyone should have every opportunity to be successful. No one disagrees with that, however, defining the road to success is another matter.
Conservatives appreciate that equal opportunity does not mean equal outcome. Expecting an equal outcome removes competition and without competition there is no opportunity. Conservatives tend to thrive in and enjoy this environment, often times quite successfully.
The liberal/socialist sees equal opportunity as all things being equal and ‘fair’. To help facilitate this, government has every obligation to take money from those who have more in order to provide every imaginable social safety net for those who have less. Not agreeing with this ideology results in name calling and, of course, cancel culture. Just ask the steel worker from Ontario who publicly disagreed with Trudeau on this very topic. As a result, he is now being attacked mercilessly by the left. He is also becoming a local hero of the right.
Freedom of thought and speech is a hill conservatives will die on. In fact, for decades left-leaning opinions have largely gone unchallenged simply because we respect everyone’s right to have them. Unfortunately, our respect for others has not been reciprocated. The liberal/socialist ideologies being pushed on conservatives with such ferocity today have given us no other option but to push back and how we do that matters.
Even though we sit on opposite sides of the political spectrum, the conversation with my new friend remained respectful. Following her comment about everyone getting through the pandemic safely and with as little harm as possible, I took a deep breath. Not for effect but because I wanted to scream. A few seconds later I very gently said, ‘I don’t know anyone who hasn’t had covid at least once; I also don’t know anyone who actually died from it. What I do know is that because of the mandates I nearly lost everything I worked my ass off for and am now starting over pretty much from scratch. I also know that I got off fairly good. My heart aches every day for those who lost everything because some of you were scared of a flu. Thanks to vaccine mandates I have family members and friends who are now injured, some very seriously. All are young. None were at any risk of dying from covid at all. Yet now, they’ll be sick for the rest of their lives. So, no, we can’t say everyone got through it safely and with as little harm as possible. And it certainly isn’t fair.’
For the first time ever, she heard another side from someone she knew. Challenged with the fact that ‘in this together’ may not have been what she thought made her a little timid around me for a while. But we still talk and get along well.
The crisis found between left and right is quite the dichotomy. Respect for each other’s personal rights, freedoms, and choice is at the core. Two sides of the same coin, yet the disparity between the two sides has never been so pronounced. By narrowing our focus to the core values that are parallel to one another, we may be able to begin bridging the gap between us.
When the Legislature returns this Fall, a very important document is being brought forward. I’ve seen the draft. The Alberta Bill of Rights directly addresses these parallels; personal rights, freedoms, and choice. Unfortunately, though it covers the core values we all hold dear, the liberal/socialists won’t take the time to read it solely because it’s being presented by a Conservative government. What’s worse is their political leaders aren’t going to do anything to help that either.
Much like my new friend, people don’t know what they don’t know. One respectful conversation at a time with those who those in our circles who lean to the left can accomplish a lot. The best part is there is no downside to making new friends while advocating for personal rights and freedoms. So, let’s do what the leftist politicians won’t and start building that bridge.
