Finding Common Ground
Beckel and Thomas suggest ways to end the partisan war.
by Kindra Gordon for Angus Productions Inc.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 2, 2012) — How to stop the partisan war that is destroying America was the topic addressed by keynote speakers Bob Beckel and Cal Thomas at the General Session II convened Thursday, Feb. 2, at the 2012 Cattle Industry Convention in Nashville, Tenn. A record-breaking attendance of 6,836 cattlemen and women, industry leaders and students were in attendance for the convention Feb. 1-4.
Beckel and Thomas are known for their successful USA Today column called "Common Ground," and the political duo has authored a book with the same title. Surprisingly, Beckel is a liberal Democratic strategist and Thomas is a conservative columnist.
Cal Thomas Photo by Kasey Miller
Thomas kicked off his address to cattlemen by saying, “We’re familiar with your industry because we deal with bull all the time in Washington, D.C.”
Thomas noted that he and Beckel often have different views, but he emphasized they are still Americans and maintain the utmost respect for one another despite that.
“There’s plenty of room for different opinions,” Thomas said. However, he noted, “We all suffer when our trust in government wanes.” That, he said, is why Americans must come together to find “common ground.”
Bob Beckel
As a liberal, Beckel asked the crowd not to make assumptions about things — and people — they don’t know. “There are a lot of different liberals,” he explained.
“There’s so much polarization in Washington because both political parties have gone to the extremes,” Beckel added. As a result, the people’s business is not getting done.
Beckel and Thomas emphasized that people representing both political parties need to come together to resolve the issues.
Thomas stated that liberals like his friend Bob Beckel aren’t the enemy. Rather, he said, “The Taliban is on the other side. Let’s put them — the real enemy — where they belong.”
He added, “In America let’s stop demonizing people who have different beliefs and promote the general welfare of people. Because, when we promote the general welfare, we promote our own as well.”
Beckel noted that in order for progress to be made, people with different political views must be able to come to the table, discuss and then leave the table in a civil way.
"Let’s take time, sit down and listen to one another, and we may find common ground,” he concluded.
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