A recent George Will column contended people who are "Values Voters" are narrow and “don't get it”. Part of this contention was that I had a responsibility to understand others' ideas or reach common ground or compromise.

Really??

It's this part of the comment that demonstrates a lack of values among people who are “Open-Minded”. I have certain non-negotiable principles from which I will always refuse to deviate. I won't outline them here. I don't think there is a question of for the most part of what they are. I carry in my being a clear set of beliefs and principles that you recognize immediately. You may not agree with me, but you know where I stand. Non-Negotiables = Values.

I have flown enough to know you have to have a good compass to get where I want to go. And good maps. And a clear idea of what the weather will be along the way so adjustments can be made enroute to get where I want to go.

Trying to compromise or reach common ground without a compass or a map or by ignoring the weather means one will miss the mark or crash.

People who value peace more than justice (As in the word to justify, make straight, correct to a predetermined course, like adjust) are always conflicted, easily led, confused and in the end unsure of themselves. That kind of values system that many have is always subject to change.

Values Voters in Will’s column is obvious shorthand for people who see things as less gray and more black and white than he does. It's the whole idea where I am more “OK” if I am open-minded. There are lots of things I am NOT open-minded on. I have no intention of being open-minded on: Life (as opposed to killing children by abortion), Marriage and Family (as opposed to blatant homosexuality/gay marriage) and The Kingdom of God (as opposed to secular humanism and anti religious fervor in the public square). I have a aversion to open-mindedness when it comes to trying to decrease the capacity to reason. When you have no position from which to reason other than open-mindedness you drift into mindlessness.

That's why so much of the left's vacuous arguments about so many things are so astoundingly stupid sounding to those of us who are part of Will's pejorative shorthand.

If I am a Values Voter (I guess it fits so you have to convict not acquit) I will vote what I believe as opposed to the popular mainstream media pap bought without thinking by so much of the left and open-minded people.

My advice to anyone on the left or to the right is: develop a strong compass set of beliefs whatever you conceive them to be. Defend them. Live in them. Focus on them. Make them Non-Negotiable. I suspect that as you do you will begin to discover the right and leave the left.

Most of what I hear from the left is “Bush is an idiot”, and other such. The left in my experience is against everything. That's not values. That is just being contrary. If the left ever became refocused on what they believe as opposed to what they are against they might have a chance. They have no values (other than being against things) ergo they can't be values voters. I think George Will is full of horsepucky on this one.

So, ask yourself, what are the uncompromising values from which you will give no ground (common or otherwise). Live in those non-negotiables and you could actually become a values voter. Till then you are off course, without a map, your compass is broken, and there's a thunderstorm in your way.

That's a recipe for disaster.

Read this post from Neo-Neocon for a person with sound values regarding the War. She represents what a real values voter is. When discourse reaches this level I have hope. If you read the comments (and there are many) you will quickly see which side is reasoned and which side is just against everything.

Tell me what you are FOR, then stick to it. Don't just continue to tell me what you are against.

If I come to your house and try to rob it you will stop me. If I try to harm you I can expect you to fight back. So you do have some values. But you need to think about them. We don't have to agree to be friends. We certainly won't agree on some values I am firmly convinced of. I have no interest in areas I hold dear to try to compromise with you at all. Nor do you.

If someone comes to you with an agenda that includes values you "Value" you will vote for them. In that you are a values voter. Values you Truly Value aren't open to compromise and common ground.

That is why I admire our President. He is a walking set up non-negotiable values. What a departure from his predecessor.