Voices of Reason: Calming the Conflicts in Political Discussions

Liberal, Conservative, Radical, Reactionary . . . what do these words mean? Often tossed about, but rarely with accuracy, these words are more than labels of pride or insult. They describe genuine viewpoints, and quite personal ones. They reveal deep human concerns which can be understood and sympathized with, even among people who cannot agree. Bill Entzminger has been a psychotherapist for more than forty years, specializing in relationship issues. In this book, he teaches the real meanings of the most poorly applied words in politics. He covers the basic stances which encompass almost all social issues, and explains how, when, and in what situations each one can be right and useful. He shows how these stances can become counterproductive when polarized, and the very real harm this can lead us into. Lastly, he illustrates how each of us can productively engage in dialogue with people we disagree with, neither demonizing them nor dismissing their concerns.