The purpose of the Society’s Building Blocks blog is “Critically Thinking About Things That Change Society” and part of that should be to search out for hopeful things that can have a positive change on our culture and society instead of the depressing task of identifying the ever growing number of absurdities that are destroying our culture and society. It’s getting harder and harder to find the small pebbles of change that will help bridge ideological chasm walls and build a better tomorrow for everyone in the midst of our current cultural upheaval, but hope is not completely lost.
The Wisconsin Alliance for Civic Trust (WisACT) is a possible source of hope in the midst of cultural and political chaos, in fact it’s hopeful enough in the right way for me to brake my own personal rule of not joining any organization that has its tentacles in anything political.
I was introduced to the organization by former Wisconsin Governor Scott McCallum who regularly attends a meeting with a cross section of people that enjoy discussing politics among other things. One of the things that immediately caught my attention in the introduction was McCallum’s description of of what WisACT was all about…
The network is open to citizens who commit to three principles:
1) truth in politics,
2) peaceful engagement with our fellow Americans
3) support for electoral democracy.
Though members may not agree on policy issues, they agree on these basic principles of democracy and civil engagement. WisACT shows how Americans can respect each other and work together, regardless of political affiliation. This is about values – not politics.
What really nailed it for me was this simple phrase, “This is about values – not politics.” Values is a very high priority for me.
Values serve as standards for who we choose to follow and for those who choose to follow us. Values are our personal bottom line. Values are our beliefs about what is most important in our lives. Our values determine what we think is right or wrong, good or bad, and what we do or do not do. Values are like the executive level of a computer system. Values are the leverage point that structures a powerful internal impulse that enables leaders to think and act beyond limitation. Use values as leverage to build strength of character in ourselves and those around us.
Because many of our values are human commonalities, these values can be a foundation to build upon to help us intentionally become less partisan.
Hope lies in the truth, our strength of character to tell the truth lies in our values, so ultimately, hope lies within each one of us to stand up for, and spread the truth.
What are some of the solid foundations of human commonalities that can be used to build these bridges, they include but are not limited to;
- respect for fellow human beings.
- respect for fundamental human rights.
- respect for the rule of law.
- respect for those that enforce the rule of law.
- respect our liberties.
- respect our freedoms.
- respect core common values
- being told the truth
- personal security
- being heard
- individual responsibility
- etc.
Being told the unspun truth by the media, pundits, bloggers, influencers, etc is one of the most important things we as Americans need to make decisions in our life. Everything from what we purchase, the foods that we eat and who we vote for is supposed to be based on the truth’s we are told. But unfortunately the critical thinking skills of many Americans have been intentionally diminished by constant bias feeding propaganda and many Americans will believe just about anything they are told a long as it supports their implicit bias. There are bald-faced liars out there cherry picking what they tell people so they can put their political spin on it to smear those they oppose and it has destroyed the real truth across the board. Now these liars spout nonsense like the truth is what we say it is.
As an example of the cherry picking and political spin, I present the following linked blog post and it appears that the opinion the blogger is parroting is one that has already gone viral and it’s a propaganda lie. The blog post is It’s Only Fair If We Win and the key to watch out for is the very intentional omission of the whole truth in the midst of political smears and cherry picking. I submitted a comment to the blog post but it’s stuck in moderation and I don’t think the author will allow it to be posted. Here is the comment in it’s original entirety…
Unethical Quote of the Week: NBC’s “Meet the Press” Host Kristen Welker
Yes, there are some glaring grammar errors and extra or missing words, I failed to properly proof read the comment before posting it, I’m sure everyone will get the idea. Full disclosure; the blogger (Dave Cieslewicz) censors almost all of the comments I submit.
Cieslewicz could have easily taken a few moments to look up the actual whole truth, present the actual whole truth and let his readers make up their own mind, but he chose to insult Marco Rubio, and Republicans in general, with a false failed kindergarten smear and parrot the false election denier narrative. By the way; maybe Cieslewicz should look in the partisan mirror and consider that Democrats have opposed every single one of the Republican presidential victories since 2000 but yet Democrat’s use their unethical cherry picking tactic to tar Republicans as if they are the only election deniers on the planet. Does Cieslewicz also remember that kindergarteners were supposed to learn to tell the whole truth.
Now how about we equally apply what we’ve learned without using unethical rationalizations as excuses.
Even though Cieslewicz (former Mayor of Madison, WI) and I disagree on some things, I personally asked Cieslewicz to consider being a part of The Wisconsin Alliance for Civic Trust in an email back in March and I encourage everyone to find an organization like WisACT, step up to the plate, take some individual responsibility, bridge the political divide and be the pebble in the pond to make a difference. I’ve taken the step, I’m doing what I can to promote the organization, and build on the three principles that WisACT has put forth. I think WisACT can help build and spread hope and I hope Cieslewicz chooses the path of truth in politics.
Truth in politics.
Peaceful engagement with our fellow Americans.
Support for electoral democracy.
This is about values – not politics.
Society's Building Blocks 
Something told The Gotch Mayor BikeShorts’ post would…um…earn a response; you provided a DAMN FINE one!
The Gotch
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After following the link and checking out the website, I am cautiously optimistic that this group could make a difference.
I have a bit of experience in this area. Some thirty years ago I completed training from the DOJ Community Relations Service related to improving communication between law enforcement and community groups, resolving community conflicts, deescalating tensions, and preventing disputes. (Part of our community policing transition.) Upon beginning discussions with community leaders and other citizens/groups, one of our first hurtles was figuring out who was participating to advance the goals of the process and who was there only to promote some narrow agenda. I predict that this group will find that a number of the early participants will be interested only in promoting “their” truth, will have odd ideas about what “peaceful” means, and will have a self-serving definition of “electoral democracy.” Getting these values accurately defined and accepted will be a big step. Some initial participants will drop out when they realize they can’t unilaterally “call the shots.”
There will also be a number of self-appointed “gatekeepers” who see themselves as the only legitimate spokesperson for different groups or viewpoints within the community. They will want to control their group’s participation and representation within the larger effort. They have to be dealt with fairly but firmly to ensure they aren’t limiting participation by other stakeholders.
I wish this group well and will be checking in on their website periodically to keep up. Please keep us posted via your blog!
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Jim wrote, “There will also be a number of self-appointed “gatekeepers” who see themselves as the only legitimate spokesperson for different groups or viewpoints within the community. They will want to control their group’s participation and representation within the larger effort.”
Since the Wisconsin Alliance for Civic Trust is a new group and supported by The Carter Center I’m going to guess that The Carter Center might want to attempt to control, or maybe a better word is limit, where senior advisors can speak based on The Carter Center’s past experiences; however, The Carter Center will have to be reminded that if they really want to bridge the ideological divide and get a good cross section of bipartisan members for the Wisconsin Alliance for Civic Trust, and similar groups, then they have to approach people that might disagree with them on some topics and try to bridge the gap with common core values.
I can say with absolute certainty that if I notice that the group is becoming dominated by entrenched partisans that are using political propaganda to push a political agenda instead of the real truth or using a double standard to define what’s peaceful in politics or being hypocritical in defining what falls within the definition of fair democratic elections I will stringently voice my opposition to the shift towards partisanship and if nothing changes I will withdrawal my support for the group.
I’m really sticking my neck out on this one based on my personal values and I won’t agree to values being shoved aside in favor of political partisanship, the verifiable truth must reign supreme in a group like this.
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