What’s up with the political divide?

6:30pm to 9:30pm, Wednesday, November 8

Belfast Free Library, 106 High Street, Belfast, Maine

Why are political differences so hard?

How does the political divide affect your everyday life?

Here’s a recording of Craig on Belfast Community Radio talking about the Make Shift Coffee House. If you are hesitant to come to a Make Shift Coffee House, Craig’s remarks at 22:52 are for you!

According to the Pew Research Center, “Republicans and Democrats are more divided along ideological lines – and partisan antipathy is deeper and more extensive – than at any point in the last two decades.” See the Political Polarization in the American Publicand several other articles on political polarization here.

That’s what the experts say. Come to the Make Shift Coffee House to see what your neighbors say.
Why do YOU think that the country is so divided? How did we get this way? Will it get worse?

How does the political divide threaten our democracy? Or enhance our democracy? Wait a minute; what does “democracy” mean to you?

And why are conversations about politics so hard? Have we lost our ability to have civil conversations? Especially across the political divide?

These are just some of the questions we will take up informally across tables and in a structured discussion across the room.

Live Music from The Pinwheel Brothers

Learn about The Pinwheel Brothers here.

Format

6:30 pm      Live Music. Coffee, tea, snacks. Table chit chat.

7:30 pm      Group Conversation

9:00 pm      Live music. Coffee, tea, snacks. Chit chat.

9:30 pm      End

Click here to learn about the Make Shift Coffee House culture and why understanding each other is so useful.

This Make Shift Coffee House will be moderated by Craig Freshley of Good Group Decisions. A professional meeting facilitator, Craig will manage a civil exchange of ideas as a neutral third party. It’s not about judging right or wrong or good or bad, it’s about understanding each others’ perspectives.

Interested in future Make Shift Coffee Houses?

Click here if interested in receiving notic