Loyal Opposition

For my once a week Honors 240 class, we discussed the American Revolution. Yesterday during the two hour class, which flies by, I began to understand why Dr. Holzapfel continued to stress the importance of a long, thoroughly-discussed debate before acting. This measure instituted by the Founding Fathers is one of the main reasons that America exists as it does today and why we move forward without drastic, unchecked extremes.
Why the drawn out discussion? It just waists time--right? Well by participating in the long debate no rash decisions are made. None of the colonies broke off on their own due to impatience, which would have ended in disaster, and the colonies which were hesitant became convinced through this debate that the time for revolution was now. It is an extending of knowledge on any subject through discussion, and impute from every angle. By listening to other people we can make the best informed decisions toward a common goal. Back and forth, always checking ourselves, "Is this right?" "Is there a better alternative?"
If we take this from a political level down to a personal level, the principles remain. We all benefit from the input of an alternative view which we would not have conceived on our own. This happens in our dealings with those closest to us, but only works when they know that we love them, that we are loyal to them; and because of that loyalty, we want them to make the best choices. We all strive to reach the point of self-recognition that we don't have all the answers. I understand that I will make mistakes and I hope that someone can show me how best to correct it.
By working together and allowing for people from different perspectives to challenge the current actions being taken, we can pursue the best road possible.