Common sense and civility trumps emotionalism and poor behavior every time

In a Nation as evenly divided politically as many think it is, the power of ideas seems like it should always guide our public policies. And it usually does … most of the time. But like a marketing person or even a salesman justifies their job, how ideas are presented often has a lot to do with acceptance and implementation. Applied to politics, how else would America often suffer through the tyranny of the minority? In the ebb and flow of politics, sometimes it’s the idea that trumps, and sometimes it’s the presentation and force of delivery that trumps. This academic discussion has merit in its practical applications today. This seems especially appropriate in a Nation so evenly divided in so many ways. America’s position in the world, worrying about what people in the world think about us and our government, immigration policies, social security solvency, Iraq and getting out all the while maintaining our foreign policy goals, and homeland security are just a few.

It seems like emotionalism, poor behavior, selfishness, bullying, and promoting personal agendas has been trumping common sense and civility since the 2006 elections, though it probably started long before then. It almost seems like there has been an recent explosion of ideas like thought control, criminalizing opposing opinions, and just plain wacko ideas that about anybody can say, and if outrageous enough, get reported for their 15 minutes of fame. In all this there have even been more ominous schemes that have come to light, such as the return of the SW USA to Mexico, or the defeat of the USA anywhere in the world, or the environmentalist self appointed leaders telling us what we will do. Not that there are better alternatives, but the ideas are more anarchist these days. Tearing down without planning for the consequences and future are what anarchists do. And just who does pick the agenda of what is important to we citizens?

This is what people with common sense and civility do. In old fashioned terms, it is called leadership. Change is constant, and political leaders worth their salt offer agenda ideas, common sense plans that work, and let them get voted on. And the whole process must be civil, otherwise intimidation and bribes and other third world types of things skew the process that is so uniquely American these days. Lest this discussion also get too academic, the recent very tough debates and discussion about immigration provide a wonderful example of common sense and civility trumping. It is ideal if what is being reported today is close to the mark, that is, the debate and final resolution is not over. Those who fought so hard to tell the Senators (after all this was just the Senate vote) to listen to them and not just tell the citizens how it was going to be, now have to provide a better alternative, and in a civil tone. One does not tear down without providing the stones for a new and better building.

If one can accomplish all this, that is, both tear down and build, and do it in a common sense and civil manner, then the emotionalism and poor behavior of the recent past will have been trumped. This is the bipartisan way, the American way. And in a time with the Country almost evenly divided, it is the best way for we citizens. Voting for citizen politicians who represent common sense and civility is a practical way to make this happen! One does not have to agree with them all the time, nor even apply litmus tests. One does have to trust their understanding of American national interests and civility trumping all other considerations.