You're Not As Crazy As I Thought but You're Still Wrong

by Neisser, Phil; Hess, Jacob

• ISBN13: 9781612344614
• ISBN10: 1612344615
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2012-04-30
• Publisher: Potomac Books Inc

Summary

Americans have been divided along political lines for so long that they have nearly forgotten how to talk to one another, much less how to listen. This is not likely to improve as long as differences between them continue to be cast in overly simplistic terms, such as ignorance vs. enlightened awareness or morality vs. reprobate immorality. Such dichotomies ignore the fact that many citizens who disagree politically nonetheless share a desire to work for the larger good of society. Phil Neisser, a self-described left-wing atheist, first met Jacob Hess, a social conservative, at the 2008 proceedings of the National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation. After discovering a shared commitment to cross-party dialogue, they embarked together on a yearlong attempt to practice what they preached. In this book they share the result by exploring the boundaries of core disagreements about morality, power, gender roles, sexuality, race, big government, big business, and big media. Each chapter revolves around an issue explored in depth through back-and-forth, lively question and response. This nuanced, iterative process was transformative for both authors, and could likewise serve as a valuable resource for anyone-liberal or conservative-who feels disillusioned by today's often shallow, demagogic public discourse.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. vii
Introduction	p. 1
Foundational Issues
Differing Takes on Power and Authority	p. 15
Big Government, Big Media, Big Business, and Big Religion	p. 39
What to Make of Values and Morality	p. 69
Hot Topics
Traditional Gender Roles: Blessing, Oppressing, or What?	p. 105
Sexual Orientation Battles: Can We Disagree and Not Hate Each Other?	p. 135
Ongoing Racial Tension: Inevitable or Escapable?	p. 161
Conclusion	p. 185
Notes	p. 199
Selected Bibliography	p. 209
Index	p. 215
About the Authors	p. 221
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