Newsroom | Opinion | July 2, 2020

by Rob Werner

You are smart maybe not the brightest star in the world, but not the dullest. You are a good person. You care about others health and welfare, the economy, environment, opportunities, fairness, and civil rights.

You are convinced your views are correct and should be followed for the worlds betterment.

Would you be surprised to discover most people, even those who differ, feel the same regarding their own thoughts. Does it bother you that peoples with unacceptable views call you names, slander and disrupt your causes?

Welcome to a world without civility. One where people have forgotten the Golden Rule.

Advertisment

The lack of political civility has always existed. We even had duels. Occasionally, political forces buried differences. We had Republican President Reagan working with Democrat Speaker ONeill and Democrat President Bill Clinton working with Republican Speaker Newt Gingrich.

There is no civility between Pelosi and Trump. Trump in winning the Presidency rallied his base threatening to incarcerate corrupt Democrats. Democrats believed they could stop this. His election was a misstep, his removal necessary. Each think that they are doing what is right.

This is common nasty politics. We should not be swayed by political hype.

Recognize our country is dominated by good people with a variety of views. Bullying and discrimination are wrong. Science should not be restrained by personal beliefs.

Children often suffer from bullying. There is aggressive bullying that includes physical threats and violence to gain property or submission. There is social bullying to get others to conform to values, actions, and lifestyles. This includes sexual orientation and promiscuity. Often it is a subtle pressure to go along with the crowd. There is academic bullying perpetrated by educators punishing or ridiculing students failing to adopt prescribed beliefs.

Adults perpetuate bullying. We have people destroying property, blocking roads, burning buildings, all who want something belonging to another or demand that others conform to their views. We have people demanding money for causes which the bullied must support or risk attack. Social bullying continues with constant personal attacks. We have economic bullying threatening advertisers, contributors, and peoples employment.

Some people believe we are a racist country with White privilege, creating disparity of income, education, living standards and treatment. They recognize it is time we redress these injustices, provide preference in opportunity, and broaden financial support and welfare. Others see such advocates as promoters of perpetuation of a dependent, slave like culture. One based on broken families, failed assimilation, destructive cultural and moral principles. They see creation of more institutionalized discrimination, propagation of violence, racial hatred, and the antithesis of diversity.

People claim they believe in science. There is a dominant force that knows that others have refused to learn from science because of religious and political ideology. These naysayers fail to accept the fact of manmade global warming. They would be bound by the belief the world was flat but for irrefutable visible evidence. The naysayers respond that science has been distorted by political correctness, suppression of employment, research and thought counter to prevailing views. Had scientist been controlled by such restraints, they might still think the world is flat.

It is time we respect all people. We do not have to agree, but we cannot expect to learn if we call other people names, prevent the dissemination of other ideas, harass people out of employment and education and close our minds to different ideas. We need to promote mutual respect, open minds, and the Golden Rule.

Originally posted here:

Civility and the Golden Rule - Santa Clarita Gazette