Politics Unveiled: A Philosophical Discussion on the Issues of our Time

Welcome back, Curious Souls!

Exciting news! Our second in-person meetup is just around the corner, and I'm thrilled to see our group growing and gaining momentum. I'm also so inspired by the engagement & curiosity around some of the topics that emerged from our last discussion. So much so, that I felt compelled to center our next meetup around these very topics.

So, drum roll…. for our upcoming gathering, let's tackle the big elephant in the room: the upcoming election (no pun intended!). With its weighty presence on everyone's minds, it's crucial for us to delve into the philosophical foundations of the policies we'll be voting on. Instead of sticking to the traditional Donkey or Elephant, let's explore the deeper principles at play and avoid just being party loyalists for sake of consistency/ease/lack of independant thought.

Our divided ideological landscape and increasing influence of media have turned politics into more of a spectator sport than a forum for meaningful discourse. But it's time to shift the focus back to what truly matters: ideas, principles, policies, and, most importantly what best serves “We the people".

Join us as we discuss pressing questions such as:

• What is the proper role of government in addressing social and economic issues, and how do different political ideologies approach this question?
• Does our two-party system adequately represent the diverse range of political beliefs and ideologies within our society? Why or why not?
• Given the our growing wealth disparity and the rising number of people becoming homeless how can we create better economic outcomes in our country?
• Should healthcare be left to market forces, or does the government have a responsibility to regulate and provide services?
• Is capitalism equipped to handle the challenges posed by the climate crisis?
• How do we navigate the complexities of reproductive rights while considering both the potential life of a fetus and the autonomy of the pregnant individual?
• Should Supreme Court judges be elected or appointed, and how does this affect the legitimacy of their selection?
• Is the interpretation of the Second Amendment aligning with societal needs, or is it veering off course?

It is strongly encouraged for you to consider ideologies that differ from yours and try to at least understand their differing point of view - this is some of the core of being a critical thinker and not an idealogical drone. Here are a few resources (clicking on the topic will take you directly to the web page with more info on the topic) to help everyone get acquainted with different perspectives on the topics we will be discussing.

1. Liberal & Conservative approaches on social issues
2. Conservative and liberal approaches to regulating the economy
3. Moving beyond the two-party system
4. In defense of the two-party system
5. Quick overview of different schools of economic theory
6. Can liberals and conservatives agree on healthcare reform
7. Corporate Greed's Impact on Healthcare
8. Climate Change and Capitalism
9. Scientific Journal on Climate Change and Capitalism
10. Pro-life and pro-choice perspectives on abortion
11. Should Judges be elected or appointed?
12. History and Politics of 2nd amendment

If you have any additional resources or questions to contribute, please reach out as soon as you can! I would love to include them :)

Also, I ideally would like the number of attendees to continuously grow, so please let me know if this date works for you by RSVPing or messaging me personally with some scheduling alternatives. I will do my best to accommodate the complexities of scheduling a meeting with a large group of people.

Looking forward to seeing you all again soon - Yay! :)