Useful Questions...If You Use Them!

A couple of weeks ago, I suggested that the best way to engage people in constructive conversation about the important issues in our country was to ask questions. I promised then to begin a list of a few questions in some of the major issue areas. This is my first such list.

I have tried to ask open-ended questions, the kinds of questions that get people talking without suggesting that you don't really want an answer. Some of these questions require that the asker know something about the issues in question, in fact, most of them do. The purpose in asking is not just to exchange ignorant ideas. For that, we can listen to TV talk shows.

In making my list, of course, I'm directing my questions first to you? Their purpose is to get at the heart of some pretty serious issues so that we might work toward a constructive consensus that preserves our freedom and faith. Perhaps you can suggest some better questions or a few that might be added. The goal is to keep the number down to 2 or 3 per issue, and certainly no more than 5. In some cases, I may have to split an issue, or add new categories. In other cases, I may need to shift them around.

I hope you will try them out on someone you know who either follows a party or ideology without much thought or someone who seems not to care, even though the freedoms and privileges they enjoy may be in real danger. Of course, this part is up to you. I can only ask the people I know, and there are lots of people out there who need to be asked, challenged, and brought into the conversation...in a constructive way.

SecondAmendment/GunControl	Who do you trust to keep you safe? Who do you trust to keep you free? Will gun laws keep dangerous people from having guns?
911/War on Terror	How do we keep terrorists from killing us? How do we preserve our heritage and culture? How do we keep our communities safe without sacrificing our freedom?
Capitalism/FreeEnterprise	Where does wealth/money come from? Is there a relationship between freedom and free enterprise?
Constitutionalism/10thAmend.	What does it mean to be a nation of laws? How should the federal government’s power be limited?
Crime/Punishment/Victims	How do we prevent crime? How do we protect ourselves from dangerous people?
Education/Schools	Why do we need public schools? How do we give out children the best opportunity for a world-class education?
Energy/Environment	How does the US find energy independence? Can we have both adequate, affordable energy and a clean, safe environment? Do you see yourself as a conservationist or an environmentalist? Why?
English/Bilingualism	Can the US be a cohesive nation without a single national language?
Equality/Diversity	What kind of equality is best for our country? In what ways should people be equal? How can we be equal if we are not the same?
Femininity/Feminism	How are men and women different, and how are they the same? How do you feel about concepts like gender-neutrality?
FreeSpeech/PC	Should there be any limits on free speech? If so, what should they be? Should people lose their jobs for saying “the n-word” or opposing gay rights? Why?
HealthCare	What will give us the best, most affordable healthcare? How can the government run the healthcare system without rationing care, as it has happened in Canada and England?
Immigration/Borders	How should the US manage our borders? How many immigrants should be allowed into the US each year? What kind of restrictions should we have on who can come and from where?
LimitedGovt/IndLib	What risks or benefits come from a government being too big and powerful or too small and weak? What individual freedoms do you regard as the most important? What freedoms are you willing to give up so that the government can take better care of you/us?
Marriage/GayRights	What do you regard as the best definition of marriage and why? What do you believe to be the cause of homosexuality?
Morality/Hedonism	What do you regard as morally absolute? Is there any danger in a lifestyle or culture that is excessively sensual, involves substantial drug or alcohol consumption, or is deeply self-centered?
Opportunity/Poverty	What is the best way to reduce poverty? What is necessary for more people to be able to have good jobs?
Peacemaking/Strength	How can we make the world or even our communities more peaceful? Is our culture moving toward peace or toward hostility? Do you favor a strong military or aggressive diplomacy? Why?
Politics&Parties	What are the differences between the two main political parties? Why is liberal or conservative the better way to plan for the future? How do you decide for whom to vote?
PrivatePropertyRights	For what reasons should the government be allowed to take private property? In what ways should government be able to control what you do with your own property (zoning, environment, etc.)?
ReligiousLiberty/WallSeparation	In what ways to you feel that our country has become too religious or too secular? How do you feel about the growth of non-Christian religions in America?
Republic/Democracy	In what ways are the checks and balances between our three branches of government working or not? Do you feel that you elected representatives are responsive or out of touch? Why? In what ways is the electoral college system for electing the President good or bad?
SanctityofLife/Choice	How is pro-life or pro-choice position better for the country? When does life begin? How does abortion differ from the execution of capital criminals? What is a stem cell?
Science/JunkScience	How much has the average global temperature increased in the past 100 years? How are humans responsible for global warming? Who should pay or make the sacrifice to protect the environment? Should juries be able to make decisions that impact science or medicine, even when experts oppose their decisions? Why or why not?
Sovereignty/UN	How is the UN a force for good in the world? How do you feel about a world-wide system of government? Why should the US support or oppose the UN or global initiatives?
Taxes/Spending	Which is better for the country—raising taxes or cutting spending? Why do you think the way you do? What kind of tax is the best?
Traditional/SecProgressive	How would you describe your value system?
Truth/Multiculturalism	What is truth? How is multiculturalism different from tolerance? Is honesty important to you?
USA—Good/Bad?	How do you see the United States—good or bad—and why? What would you do to make this country a better place?
WorldViews	If you have a worldview, what is it? Can you identify several major, influential worldviews? Do you feel that the educational, media, and political establishments share or oppose your worldview?