politicalcivility.com Blog

To the readers of this blog, I need to make an apology to Representative Trish Beck for jumping to conclusions on some data that I pulled from the Lt. Governors campaign disclosure website.  While Rob Miller and I still disagree on the total number of out-of-state contributions, my revised total came out much lower at ~7.5% instead of the 22% I listed on my original post. 

Also, I apologize for the IT problems with comments and for having the post “close” unintentionally.  I still don’t know what’s happened to that post.  Given the inabililty to comment on the post, I have decided to delete it.

——————————— 

On a separate note, this post gives me the chance to reiterate the commitment to the readers of this blog, namely that I will 1) do my best to give accurate data, 2) be willing to correct a mistake if that data is wrong, and 3) welcome all commentors.

Thank you again to all of you who take the time to read, discuss, correct, and be a part of politicalcivility.com.

Because every now and then a string of comments or a topic I write about forces me to take a long hard look in the mirror.  My post from Monday and yesterday and the ensuing comment threads did just that.  After the past couple of days, I am more convinced that Bloom was right that stepping back and looking at our own indignation can be the beginning of true knowledge.  For me, the knowledge nugget that came back again is: the behavior/attitudes which really gets under my skin I find I myself am most guilty of committing or exhibiting.  In other words, that which I most despise in others, I am often most guilty of myself.  CS Lewis said it this way when discussing PRIDE: 

“There is no fault which makes a man more unpopular, and no fault which we are more unconscious of in ourselves.  And the more we have it ourselves, the more we dislike it in others.” [italics added for emphasis] 

Perhaps the most poingnant and sad case of this is where abuse takes place.  I have heard and witnessed several examples of the hatred or feelings of betrayal an abused expresses regarding their particular abuser, and then as the numbers suggest, these abused become the abusers and continue the cycle of violence.  They become the very thing they once were indignant about.   

For me the “sin” I so dislike in others is the rush to assume intent on the part of another.  I can’t stand when some one makes some judgement about how self righteous a post or comment of mine may have been when they know absolutely nothing about me, my heart, my intent, etc.. And yet as I sit here writing this post, I can name time after time, when I have been guilty of exactly such a crime.  My natural reaction is to strike back with equal or increased wrath and judgement in response to one who has inappropriately judged me.

Blogging has forced me to confront this incongruous behavior, and while I have by no means eliminated the tendency, I believe progress is in the works. 

So today I say “thank you” to all those who take the time to post, whether that comment derides or applauds any particular post.  You’ve made me think a little deeper and be a little better.

Not too long ago I read a letter to the editor in the Wall Street Journal that hit the “religion” principle nerve for me. The writer remarked that the best way for me to show him respect is to practice religion the way that he does–namely, in the privacy of my own home.  My interpretation of his assertion was that religious sympols have no place in the public square because they infringe on his right not to be confronted by the religious symbols of another.

I have a hard time with this line of thinking as well as a hard time understanding why some are so quick to be offended by public demonstrations of faith.  The Constitution protects my right to worship privately and publicly. 

Here is my counter to this fellow’s assertion: We need more religious symbols in the public square, not less.  I accept gladly the wish of Happy Hanukah or Kwanzaa though these are not holidays my religion celebrates.

It takes NO respect to ask people to not confront me with beliefs that are not my own.  True respect and civility come into play when I seek to appreciate, value, understand and honor those things which are good and just regardless of religious persuasion or political affiliation of another human being.  I would hope that I am secure enough in my own beliefs to appreciate and see the value in the public expression of a faith different from my own.  Not only that, but also to be grateful my neighbor aspires to a higher sphere of moral conduct.

My hope is that this blog will be different from other “politically” oriented blogs.  The focus here will be on prinicples, solutions and furthering constructive political dialogue.  Personal attacks will not be posted.  Well reasoned, principles arguments will always be welcome.  My hope is that we will listen to each other, learn from each other, and because of our interaction become better citizens in the process.  Honesty is a key.  There will be no anonymity.  Anonymity leads to incivility and shows a lack of courage to stand up for one’s beliefs.

To that end, here are the principles through which I look at the political landscape:

1. Limited government as the best form of government
2. Religion as the moral compass of a free people
3. Family as the fundamental unit of society
4. Personal responsibility as the basis of self-government
5. Free markets as the engine of economic prosperity
6. Charity as the wellspring of a caring and healthy community
7. Private property as the cornerstone of economic freedom

I welcome your posts, your input, your principled view be it different than mine or the same.

Welcome aboard!

Lyall Swim