This is what we do

"Because this is what we do."

It caught me off guard when the developer said this to the City Manager during a disagreement about how restrictive or accommodative public policy ought to be toward construction.

The fact that it was the base reason, no further explanation was needed, was striking.

Everyone in the room agreed his position was valid.

There were no value statements or emotional pleas. My read was that since all the people in the meeting were working professionals, they inherently ascribe value to anyone else who is a working professional trying to do their job.

People attribute value to a position if it is combined (or just piggy-backed) with other value-positive ideas.