Putting the “Civil” Back in Civil Society
I went on The Takeaway this morning to talk about a new move to get anger under control in politics.
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Recently , a group called Former Members of Congress for Common Ground (politely) laid down a gauntlet. Their petition to current candidates embraces the concept of partisanship, but then adds:
The divisive and mean-spirited way debate often occurs inside Congress is encouraged and repeated outside: on cable news shows, in blogs and in rallies. Members who far exceed the bounds of normal and respectful discourse are not viewed with shame but are lionized, treated as celebrities, rewarded with cable television appearances, and enlisted as magnets for campaign fund-raisers.
The 130 signers, all former members of Congress, then ask office-seekers “to conduct campaigns for Congress with decency and respect toward opponents, to be truthful… [and] to refrain from personal attack…”
That serves notice to political insiders. But what about to citizens? While the midterm elections will, one way or the other, reset the balance of power on Capitol Hill, they won’t insure that people on the ground engage in serious but civil debates. Ultimately, it’s up to us to ask that we do better, act more generously, and live more comfortably with the intense debates that come in a time of big decisions.
