There is no room for grace in political discourse. The chief aim is to beat opponents. This mindset approves of tactics that would otherwise be condemned if they came from the other side. The business of “owning” ideological adversaries matters more than anything.
It’s very unhealthy.
Both major political parties and many of their members give in to campaigns that paint their rivals in the worst possible light. Strong disagreement is inevitable, but social media has fueled a repeated brand of attack that respects no boundaries. Decency is seen as being too weak. The intensity of the 2016 presidential campaign created the perfect storm. A brash, unconventional candidate collided with a media not used to such resistance. The result: increased division among the electorate in a way never before seen. It has only escalated in recent years.
There are numerous examples. Voters supporting President Donald Trump or Republicans have been compared to Nazis, or at least sympathetic to that cause. Justice Brett Kavanaugh was labeled a rapist during his nomination hearings. Naturally, those who believe him to be innocent in the face of unsubstantiated allegations are pro-rape. Just this week, Joy Reid of MSNBC likened Republicans to al Qaeda. And those are just a few examples.
It’s not an exaggeration to say the Left seems to do it more than the Right. But it’s also true that the Right engages in similar behavior. Not everyone agrees with Ketanji Brown Jackson’s history of sentencing decisions. That’s fine. But some believe her behavior shows kindness toward pedophiles. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a constant embarrassment to the GOP, even labeled senators who support Jackson’s confirmation as “pro-pedophile just like she is.” And Sen. Tom Cotton said Jackson is the kind of person who would defend Nazis at Nuremberg. All of these claims are disgusting.
It’s time for everyone to stop.
These comparisons are destructive. They water down actual terms that properly define the worst of human behavior. Racism should be reserved for those who subscribe to the foul ideology of racial superiority. Nazis and their sympathizers exist, but not in numbers that are claimed. Sexual crimes such as rape and pedophilia are the epitome of evil. Saying another person is actively advocating those crimes when they are not diminishes them and real victims.
The desire to stoop low and fight political battles is real. If the other side is nasty and plays dirty, there is unspoken approval to do the same. But this juvenile approach goes against the demands made by both parties. There can be no improvement among elected leaders or the general public if Democrats and Republicans only exist to tear the other down in a series of bad faith arguments. Retaliating in kind is not proof of the moral high ground. It’s not long-lasting. It doesn’t endear more voters to that side.
There must be a return to decency. By all means, battle against those who hold conflicting ideologies. Question those whose goals clash with yours. But do so in a way that relies on facts and persuasion instead of all things petty and pernicious.
Setting an example matters, even if those closest to you don’t follow suit. Repairing the damage done by politics can’t truly begin unless political dialogue changes. Waiting for someone else to do the right thing is a worthless endeavor.
Kimberly Ross (@SouthernKeeks) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner’s Beltway Confidential blog and a columnist at Arc Digital.
