25 – An Introduction of Speculations
Have any readers come across the idea that the American public is polarized regarding social issues? Is it possible that the lack of discussion among polarized groups has resulted in a buildup of emotions, resulting in increasing politically-motivated violence? Some express fears that the dual buildup of frustrations are reaching danger points so that our democratic, representative form of government is in danger? What do you think?
Having grown up and developed into a young adult in the 1940’s, 50’s, and mid-60’s, I can report, with confidence, that many of the social negatives seen today did not exist then. A major difference between now and then was the willingness of the public to openly discuss differences of opinion. Can the importance of this positive, social characteristic be seen in the observations made by German prisoners of war during World War II, after being exposed to American culture following decades of mind-bending Nazi propaganda?
Would it be good use of a reader’s hour to watch and think about the ideas found at

We all know American society was not perfect during and after World War II. Does the video indicate that open discussions in America had resulted in our still-flawed society being made much stronger than Germany, that punished, even executed, citizens for voicing ideas different from Nazi propaganda?
Did POW’s develop the idea that prohibitions against questioning Nazi propaganda made Germany weaker? Did they think open discussions of social differences of opinion among Americas made our nation stronger? Is it possible America is made weaker today, resulting from our current polarization and lack of civil sharing and discussion of views with others?
So…How did we go from being a nation that valued open discussions to the closed, polarized society we experience today? Is it possible that some of Lyndon Johnson’s wars on poverty and inequality accomplished some goals but resulted in development of negatives that did not previously exist? Is it possible for our government to strive toward the right goals but attempt to achieve them through application of wrong approaches?
Is it possible for people to develop better understandings of each other’s views through sharing of information? But how can America proceed toward greater unity and strength, being as individuals within the polarized groups resist sharing and discussing their views with others?
Is it possible to speculate what different groups might share if they started sharing?
Joseph L. Bass 12/4/2025