End The Inflammatory Political Rhetoric

It is time to put an end to inflammatory political rhetoric in the United States. Forget about toning down the public discourse; it’s too late for that. Divisive, inciteful speech must stop completely.

There must be no more demonization of immigrants.

No demonization of religious minorities.

No more racist dog whistles.

No more unfounded conspiracy theories.

No more calls for the imprisonment of political rivals.

This is the United States of America. We are supposed to set an example for the world, and example of inclusiveness and tolerance, of community and coooeration, of human rights and the peaceful transition of political power. 

But we are failing. We are sinking into a new dark age of angry tribalism. Politicians no longer work for the common good of all American citizens. They work for the advancement of the interests of the party. If they fail to do this, voters and donors turn on them, sometimes in destructive ways.

More troubling, We The People are turning on each other. The country is deeply divided, and that division seems unreconcilable. Inciteful rhetoric does more than betray our constitutional values. It erodes the fabric of a secure society and presents a real and present danger for every citizen of the nation. 

Look at the tragic events of the past week and half. Numerous acts of deadly domestic terrorism have been perpetuated.

A White supremacist killed two people of color in a grocery store after being barred from entering a Black church. 

An enthusiastic supporter of the current administration mailed fifteen pipe bombs to the president’s critics, people that he routinely demonizes at political rallies, on twitter, and during press conferences.

Another person committed mass murder at a synagogue on the Jewish Sabbath. He believed that a Jewish charity was helping a “caravan” of migrants from Central America. The president and his supporters in the media routinely demonize the migrants as a ploy to drum up support from their anti-immigration base.

So, this is where we are in the autumn of 2018. American citizens are being targeted and killed by people who have been whipped into a nationalist/racist frenzy by the administration that was given the responsibility to lead our country and protect our values. Consider that carefully.

I understand that many people in this country, peaceful, productive, hard-working citizens, supported this president initially in hopes of bringing about a rebound of economic prosperity. They were willing to tolerate his harsh rhetoric and forgive the rough edges of his personality in order to support his bold economic and social agendas. That was understandable two year ago, but looking the other way is no longer an acceptable compromise. Our neighbors are dying. This administration has willfully chosen to appeal to the worst human impulses in order to drum up and maintain political support, and the anger has turned deadly. This is unacceptable. 

America is supposed to represent “liberty and justice for all.” 

Not for all except the Jews. 

Not for all except people of color. 

Not for all except Democrats. 

Not for all except Muslims. 

For everyone.

We need to do better at a nation. Change is needed immediately, and it needs to start at the top.