You should gather a list of poems that mean things to you, and explain why you liked them

  1. You can review the list when you feel that life has no meaning, beauty, or meaning. 
  2. Its unfortunate that people read books, and poems while in school, but sit on their asses and just watch TV for the rest of their lives. 
  3. If their is no God, perhaps the only way you can leave something lasting when you die is to say something in a way that gets remembered.
  4. Poetry can help you tell your kids how you feel about them.
  5. People can write poems that describe the type of parent you want to be.
  6. Authors of good poetry can force you confront difficult topics  
  7. Poetry can put your shortcomings in perspective
  8. Poetry can motivate you.

Poetry can put your shortcomings in perspective

Poems that agree: +


1. William Shakespeare - Sonnet #129
The expense of spirit in a waste of shame
Is lust in action; and till action, lust
Is perjured, murderous, bloody, full of blame,
Savage, extreme, rude, cruel, not to trust;
Enjoy'd no sooner but despised straight;
Past reason hunted; and no sooner had,
Past reason hated, as a swallowed bait,
On purpose laid to make the taker mad:
Mad in pursuit, and in possession so;
Had, having, and in quest to have, extreme;
A bliss in proof, and proved, a very woe;
Before, a joy proposed; behind, a dream.
All this the world well knows; yet none knows well
To shun the heaven that leads men to this hell.

Shakespear's sonnet #129 is a great poem about addition. It sort of reminds me of the song that Johnny Cash sang called Hurt. I want me kids to be free. I want them, and all of humanity, to be free from all addictions. I don't want them to be slaves to alcohol, drugs, or any other addiction. It doesn't make them more noble or heroic to overcome addiction, like Cash... It is more noble to just avoid it.

Shame

Authors of good poetry can force you confront difficult topics

Poems that Agree: +

1. Spring and Fall: [Margaret, Are You Grieving] by Gerard Manley Hopkins
Margaret, are you grieving
Over Goldengrove unleaving?
Leaves, like the things of man, you
With your fresh thoughts care for, can you?
Ah! as the heart grows older
It will come to such sights colder
By and by, nor spare a sigh
Though worlds of wanwood leafmeal lie;
And yet you wíll weep & know why.
Now no matter, child, the name:
Sorrow's springs are the same.
Nor mouth had, no nor mind, expressed
What héart héard of, ghóst guéssed:
It is the blight man was born for,
It is Margaret you mourn for.

Megan was an english major and told me about this poem.
You can find better explanations on other sites but:
Margaret is a young girl... Can't remember. Perhaps a niece or something... Apparently she was sad when she was watching the leaves fall of the trees...
Goldengrove yellow trees.
Unleaving = leaves falling of.

People can write poems that describe the type of parent you want to be

Poems that agree: +

1. "Genes" - Sharon Dunn
My eleven year son wants to fish,
he owns two rods, one saltwater,
one freshwater. He loves knives,
Bowie knives, Swiss Army
knives, "Knives like this one?"
my brother says, opening his desk
drawer and taking out a small
jackknife with antler handle.
My boy camps outdoors, begs to sleep
outside, is always shooting
arrows, rubber band guns,
he is lashing together a fort
in the backyard. He sails,
swims, kayaks and wants
to know the stars.
The outdoor hunting genes
are in the dark men in my family.
Yet I believe he is a son of light.
His joy in reading, cooking
and piano are fanned
from the tinderbox
of his father's heart.
He will save rainforest,
he will grow vegetables,
keep horses, fly his own plane.
He will make his own brave life,
he will not remake our lives
nor redeem us, nor pity us.

Poetry can help you tell your kids how you feel about them

Poems that agree: +
    1. Daughter Lyrics by Loudon Wainwright III
    Everything she sees
    she says she wants.
    Everything she wants
    I see she gets.
    That's my daughter in the water
    everything she owns I bought her
    Everything she owns.
    That's my daughter in the water,
    everything she knows I taught her.
    Everything she knows.
    Everything I say
    she takes to heart.
    Everything she takes
    she takes apart.
    That's my daughter in the water
    every time she fell I caught her.
    Every time she fell.
    That's my daughter in the water,
    I lost every time I fought her.
    I lost every time.
    Every time she blinks
    she strikes somebody blind.
    Everything she thinks
    blows her tiny mind.
    That's my daughter in the water,
    who'd have ever thought her?
    Who'd have ever thought?
    That's my daughter in the water,
    I lost everytime I fought her
    Yea, I lost every time.

Teenagers can be OK to live with +1

Poems that agree: +

An Easy-Going Weekend by Gerald Locklin
With my wife and daughter away at
My daughter's college for four days,
It has been a bachelor's weekend
For my fifteen-year old son and me.
We get along easily because we
Like a number of the
Same few basic things: eating,
Reading, writing, music. his social
Life is different from my current
One: he visits with his friends,
Girls and boys, while I swim at
The YMCA pool. Then he watched
Videos—a compromise between
The ones that he picks out—
Empire Records, Strange Brew—
And the ones I think he ought to
Be exposed to—Citizen Kane,
La Strada, Dr. Strangelove. He
Plays his amplified guitar; I switch
A game on when the Yankees are
At bat. I give him In Our Time
To read; finish up a Flann
O'Brien for my class. We both
Like Italian one day, Mexican the
Next. He feeds the cats and does
The dishes for his mother.
At night, he works late on
A story at the MAC; I write
A poem with a pad and pencil.
I exercise the dog and feed it.
I go to bed before he does.
We both say, "love you; see
You in the morning." And
We mean it

Poems that disagree: -


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  1.  Teenagers are moody 
Score:
# of reasons to agree: +1
# of reasons to disagree: -0
# of reasons to agree with reasons to agree: +0
# of reasons to agree with reasons to disagree: -0
Total Idea Score: +1

Don't like the score? It is easy to change the score. Just post a reason to agree or disagree with the overall idea, or any of the reasons and the score will change.
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  1. Optimism 

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Should Marco Rubio Be Our Next President? An Examination

Pros of a Rubio Presidency

  1. Economic Stewardship: Critics argue that Democrats haven't efficiently balanced the deficit. Rubio has proposed fiscal policies aimed at reducing government expenditure, potentially reducing the deficit.

  2. Incentives for Success: Some believe that Rubio's policies favor the successful and discourage wasteful spending, promoting economic growth.

  3. Diversification of the Presidency: Having the first Hispanic Republican president could disrupt patterns of racial party alliance and stimulate balanced representation across parties.

  4. Family Values: Rubio, a father of four, could bring a family-oriented perspective to his presidency.

Cons of a Rubio Presidency

  1. Lack of Executive Experience: Rubio served as a Senator, but critics argue that gubernatorial experience could better prepare a candidate for the presidency.

  2. Leadership Questions: Some critics question whether Rubio has demonstrated leadership on major issues.

Further Exploration

For more in-depth discussion and exploration of political and social issues, visit our main sites: Group Intel and Idea Stock Exchange.

# of reasons to agree: +14
# of reasons to disagree: -2
# of reasons to agree with reasons to agree: +3
# of reasons to agree with reasons to disagree: -0
Total Idea Score: +15

Don't like the score? It is easy to change the score. Just post a reason to agree or disagree with the overall idea, or any of the reasons and the score will change.

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Images

  1. Leave a comment with a link to a photo, and I'll add it. 
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Videos

  1. Leave a comment so I can add a reason.
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Interest
  1. Judicial Balance: Supporters may desire a more balanced judiciary. They believe that after periods of liberal influence, a shift towards a conservative viewpoint is needed to maintain equilibrium.
  2. Fiscal Responsibility: Supporters are concerned about the national debt and its potential impacts on future generations. They trust in Rubio's proposed fiscal policies to tackle this issue effectively.
  3. Strong Bipartisanship: Supporters value a robust two-party system, arguing that political diversity is key to a healthy democracy. They see Rubio's potential candidacy as contributing to this dynamic.
  4. Diversity in Leadership: Supporters believe that leadership should reflect the nation's diversity. They see potential in candidates like Rubio to represent various communities within the country.
  5. Nominee Considerations: Some supporters might be deliberating over potential Republican nominees, based on their policy platforms and potential to draw a diverse electorate. They may be comparing Rubio's suitability with other potential candidates in the current political context.


  1. Economic Stability: Supporters and critics alike share a common interest in avoiding hyperinflation. They agree on the need for economic policies that promote stability and growth.

  2. Preparedness: Everyone desires a government that is well-prepared to handle national and international challenges. This includes everything from economic crises to public health emergencies.

  1. Fiscal Awareness: Critics might argue for a more detailed understanding of the nation's fiscal situation. They might feel that current policies are steering the country towards a "fiscal cliff" of unsustainable debt.

  2. Problem Recognition: Critics might also desire a more straightforward acknowledgment of the nation's problems, rather than denying or downplaying them. They may believe in confronting these issues head-on, with comprehensive plans and proactive policies.

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Podcast
Podcast that agree: +
  1. http://www.learnoutloud.com/Podcast-Directory/Politics/Conservative-Politics
Podcast that disagree: -
  1. http://www.learnoutloud.com/Podcast-Directory/Politics/Liberal-Politics
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Experts
Unbiased Experts who agree: +
  1. Paul Ryan, Former Speaker of the House and economic policy expert.
  2. Condoleezza Rice, Former Secretary of State and political scientist.
Unbiased Experts who disagree: -
  1. Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Senator and expert on bankruptcy law.
  2. Paul Krugman, Nobel laureate economist.
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Books
Books that agree: +
  1. "The Way Forward: Renewing the American Idea" by Paul Ryan.
  2. "American Dreams: Restoring Economic Opportunity for Everyone" by Marco Rubio.
Books that  disagree: -
  1. "Our Time Is Now: Power, Purpose, and the Fight for a Fair America" by Stacey Abrams.
  2. "The Fight for Fifteen: The Right Wage for a Working America" by David Rolf.
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Miscellaneous
Related arguments:

Websites That Might Agree:

  1. The National Review
  2. The American Conservative
  3. The Daily Wire
  4. The Federalist
  5. Republican National Committee

Websites That Might Disagree:

  1. The Democratic National Committee
  2. Mother Jones
  3. HuffPost Politics
  4. The Intercept
  5. ThinkProgress

a) Fundamental beliefs or principles one must reject to also reject this belief:

Pro: To support Marco Rubio as president, you may have to reject beliefs in:

  1. Progressive economic policies.
  2. Universal healthcare as a right.
  3. Green New Deal or equivalent radical environmental measures.

Con: To reject Rubio as president, you may have to reject beliefs in:

  1. Conservative economic policies.
  2. Limited government intervention.
  3. Traditional Republican stances on social issues.

b) Alternate expressions of this belief:

Pro: #Rubio2024, #MarcoForPresident, #RubioRevolution

Con: #NotMyCandidate, #AnyoneButRubio, #NoToRubio

c) Criteria to demonstrate the strength or weakness of this belief:

  1. Policy positions and track record: Does Rubio’s stance align with your beliefs?
  2. Leadership ability: Can Rubio effectively lead and make tough decisions?
  3. Popular opinion: What do polls say about Rubio's chances?

d) Shared interests or values with potential dissenters:

  1. Economic prosperity.
  2. National security.
  3. Quality education for all.

e) Key differences or obstacles:

  1. Economic Policy: Progressive versus conservative.
  2. Social Issues: Liberal versus traditional.
  3. Foreign Policy: Interventionist versus non-interventionist.

f) Strategies for dialogue:

  1. Hosting town halls for open discussions.
  2. Encouraging respectful debate on social media.
  3. Promoting evidence-based discussions over ideological beliefs.

g) Key resources to understand this topic:

  1. Marco Rubio's Senate voting record.
  2. Rubio's book "American Dreams: Restoring Economic Opportunity for Everyone."
  3. Analysis of Rubio's policy proposals by independent think tanks.
  4. Public opinion polls on Rubio's candidacy.

To further delve into pro/con analysis and collective intelligence, visit my platforms: Group Intel and Idea Stock Exchange.