“Rational political discussion” is an oxymoron that we have observed for decades and centuries.  Rational, Non-Political Discussions may not occur right away in city, state or national politics but it surely can occur at the local community level almost immediately.  Such a discussion would require the use of a prescribed format or methodology, with the three universal values of social sustainability, to examine and validate the various aspects of the topic and the conclusions.  Has that ever been done before?  NO!  It would be interesting to hear a public debate between candidates arguing some public issue basing their discussions on the three core values of social sustainability.  

Most of you have probably been to a local political caucus or political discussion group.  Those are usually run by someone who has an agenda for the topics that are discussed.  However, in a local community Social Sustainability Design Team of 5-11 members there is a methodology for examining topics, with roles for team members to exercise, that contribute immensely to the rationality of discussing sensitive social issues.  No one is left out of the discussion in a Design Team because everyone has a significant role to play.  Those roles include Facilitator, Recorder, Consultant and Inquiring Members.  Asking meaningful, competent, cogent and intuitive questions is an art in itself.  Intelligent and intuitive questions lead to intelligent answers.  

This process may seem “confining” to you, but it provides an organized (not rigid) way of discussing sensitive topics.  Hundreds of local communities in a nation will provide the opportunity for generating truly creative options, regularly.  The three core values provide an unalterable backboard for bouncing ideas and topics against to see if they fall apart or become a part of a sustainable social system.  The universal, timeless nature of the values that have sustained our species, offer the potential to develop creative designs for solutions for any social issue or topic in any democratic society. 
 
Once the designs and solutions are created, then the political discussion of how to implement those designs will begin.  Yes, there will be liberal and conservative sides to implementation of socially sustainable designs.  What is essential is that there be a way for local community citizens in their local design team to share their input with other design teams via Internet connected networks.  Remember, the great mass of intelligent thought is within the multitude of undiscovered geniuses in local communities.  Do not underestimate your own capability to make contributions, too.  No one can empower or disempower you to do anything, but you.  Do you empower or disempower yourself?