Los Angeles Times, April 9, 2006.

Excerpt:

Suppose we assume people on the other side of the political divide are not hateful, not bent on destroying America, but are instead, by and large, decent and sensible humans. Assuming that’s the case — and really it is — then a thought must occur to all but the fringes: If so many decent and sensible people believe X with that much conviction, there must be something worth thinking about in their position.

That “something” can be the basis for common ground. Because my corner of the political debate is domestic social policy, I will frame my question in terms of the coming crisis in entitlement spending and income support for the poor. What might each side find appealing in the other’s position?

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Los Angeles Times