海角大神

The true center of American politics isn鈥檛 found where most of us agree. We fiercely disagree. That鈥檚 not a problem. Democracy assumes disagreement.

The true center is about how we resolve those disagreements. Most of us believe we should work them out respectfully.

We don鈥檛 believe in winning political arguments through bullying, name-calling, lying, intimidating, or using violence.

In other words, the political center isn鈥檛 about what we decide It鈥檚 about how we decide. A central tenet of American democracy is a commitment vigorous debate, done honestly and civilly.

That鈥檚 why some of what we鈥檝e been witnessing recently is troubling.

Consider the foot-stomping incident in Kentucky by Rand Paul supporters, just outside a Senate debate. Or Alaska GOP Senate candidate Joe Miller鈥檚 security detail handcuffing a reporter from a liberal-leaning website.

Consider last year鈥檚 congressional town hall meetings where members of Congress were shouted down, a Tampa town hall meeting turned violent, and gunshots were fired at Democratic campaign headquarters in Arizona.

Consider the outright lies about 鈥渄eath panels,鈥� 鈥済overnment takeovers,鈥� and the President鈥檚 nationality.

Consider Rep. Joe Wilson鈥檚 鈥測ou lie鈥� outburst against the President on the House floor.

And the vitriol emanating at all hours from rage radio, yell television, and Fox News 鈥� against immigrants, intellectuals, 鈥渃oastal elites,鈥� gays, and the President.

We鈥檙e better than this.

This is not respectful disagreement. It鈥檚 thuggery. It has no legitimate role in a democracy. And most Americans are fed up with it.

Sadly, we needed two comedians to remind us.

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