This blog site is designed to be used in conjunction with the Facebook Page of David Treppendahl.  https://www.facebook.com/David.Treppendahl

Changing Course.

David has been using his Facebook page primarily to serve as a debate forum between people who disagree with the policies, statements and actions of President Trump and his administration. While this has been interesting, it has not really accomplished anything. That is no longer acceptable. The problems America is facing are too serious and so difficult to solve that we can no longer just argue and play games. There is just too much at stake. So we are going to change course and try something different.

Instead of debating to score points, we are going to do the hard work of listening to each other with open and objective minds with the primary goal of finding consensus. Defined: “Consensus is the agreement that emerges when people with different perspectives listen to one another, reason together, and find common ground on what needs to be done.”

Why do this?

Why go to the moon? Because it’s easy? No, because it is hard. Any two fools can argue about politics and get angry about it. That’s easy. Finding consensus across the political spectrum – now that it is a challenge. I like challenges. Who wants to join me in doing something that most people don’t think is possible?

But there is another reason and a much more important one. If American’s can’t find enough consensus to choose and support political leaders who are able to solve some our great problems, these problems will intensify to the point that America will jettison democracy and replace it with an autocracy. This “Great Experiment” will end.

Can we fix America? Well, not directly. We, those of us participating in this forum, represent a broad range across the political spectrum. Our little sphere is a microcosm of America. What we can do is demonstrate that consensus is achievable in America in this day and age. Who knows? Others might want to learn from us, to follow our example, and that continues until the whole nation finds consensus, and we save America? And then we can say to our spouses, “and you said I was just wasting time on Facebook.”

What do we do?

The first step is to complete the “Required Reading” (See dropdown box top right of this page.) There are three short essays that lay the groundwork for us finding consensus. They are all less than 750 words. Please read them.

Secondly, we stop defending the current political leaders on both sides of the spectrum. We are in these huge messes because of the failures of our past and current political leaders. So DO NOT defend them – none of them.

Rather than thinking we are total loses for changing our minds on something, let’s see ourselves as heroes for not only changing our minds, but admitting it to others.

Beginning in mid-August of 2026, one essay per week will be posted on this blog. The essays will appear in chronological order in the “Consensus Essays” dropdown box on top right of this page. Read these essays with the objective of finding consensus with the author. And then provide feedback on the associated post on my Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/David.Treppendahl. Explain why you agree or disagree and suggest how you think things should be so that consensus can be found.

Authorship.

David Treppendahl will author a significant number of the essays.

David will seek other authors from across the political spectrum who will want to write essays that are appropriate for these discussions. If interested send an email to: david.treppendahl@gmail.com

Manners.

Demonstrate that you a good person with integrity. If you are a Christian, exemplify that you were given some of the nine fruits of the Spirit listed in Gal 5:22–23 are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. It is expected that everyone will be kind and respectful. Those who don’t care about manners probably are not a good fit for these discussions.