Conflict makes system work

In regard to the whole tea party movement, I would just like to say that, having listened to these people state over and over again that they have “not been heard,” that they “are not being heard,” it seems to me that many of them must be suffering from some sort of self-righteous entitlement disorder.

This seems to be an increasingly common affliction in society in general, and it is overwhelmingly evident in the world of politics. It manifests in an unyielding stance, whereby one assumes that if one is not being agreed with one has not been heard.

I am afraid that this is untrue, regardless of how uncomfortable it is to be disagreed with. The whole point of a multipolitical, bipartisan, democratic system is that there is disagreement and dissent and conflict, often requiring compromise and acceptance that what may very well be solid fact to one person may be an absolute falsehood to another.

It might help these people, in the inevitable next time that they are sure they are not getting their way, that it doesn’t mean the system doesn’t work, but that in a pluralistic society no one gets everything they want all the time.

Jennifer Adams

Spokane