Competing Interests

I have an admission to make: I really like reading advice columns. I only end up reading Dear Prudence in Slate.com but I do enjoy others when I come across them (Dear Abby, Ann Landers, Judith Martin, etc.).
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At first it seemed sort of weird to me -- advice columns seem closer to gossip in People Magazine than politics on NPR, but then it hit me: they are very similar in one important aspect -- both are about competing interests. I also enjoy the insights they give into human nature and and the human condition (which also explains my love of This American Life and PostSecret.com).

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Think about it: these columns offer advice on dilemmas someone is having, usually with a spouse, sibling, parent, friend, co-worker, etc. and these usually come down to "I want this and he wants that." Politics is not dissimilar. To wit:

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From Dear Prudence -

A mom who wants her daughter to do more housework vs. the girl who thinks it's ruining her childhood.

A woman who is ready for marriage vs. a man who wants to wait.

A guy who wants to spend more time on the phone when his girlfriend is away vs. the woman who hates talking on the phone.

A woman who wants massages vs. her husband who thinks they can't afford them.

A man who wants to go on a family cruise and leave their infant behind vs. his wife who can't imagine doing so.

A woman who wants her boyfriend to groom more often vs. the boyfriend who's content as he is.

And so on.

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From Politics -

People who think abortion is murder vs. people who think it's not and banning it violates women's rights.

People who want to keep more of their salaries vs. people who think that tax money funds important programs which help people in need.

People who value protecting the environment vs. people who think protecting the environment will cost the economy jobs.

People who want more religion in schools and public life vs. those who find it oppressive and unconstitutional.

People who believe gay people should be entitled to marry vs. those who find homosexuality an abomination and don't want the government to condone it.

And so on.

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Where we come down on these issues illuminates who we are, our politics, values, and ethics. We'd be better off if we realized that these issues are tough and that there are usually legitimate competing interests on both sides and that once a decision comes down, some people will be unhappy and feel that their rights have been infringed upon. Maybe we'd be more compassionate and understanding if we remembered that more often (myself included).