Civility and Honesty

Ruth Marcus helps, again, as we struggle to sort out the damage to civility and democracy associated with Trumpism.

Building on her analysis, I suggest we need to link head and heart to remind ourselves how easily we forgive Samantha Bee, probably on grounds that we think she is right, and yet simultaneously find it unimaginably ignorant and indecent that anyone might forgive Barr or the president for similar types of statements.

This makes sense to me. At the same time, I am not sure where to go with it. But civility requires not only trying to speak the truth but also trying to be honest.

If our goal is to save democracy, then it might be best to use this as one guide for how to win back the House at the midterms. Let the indecency of Trump and his enablers speak for itself (and it will impact some voters), but do not dwell on this as our platform. We need an alternative vision, advanced by credible and decent and smart and moderate candidates who speak to our base and to independents, including a segment of those who voted for Trump.

Try to hold onto our own outrage at Trump and company without directing that same anger toward anyone who speaks positively of his tax cut or approach to Korea or general tendency to be disruptive. Find candidates and platforms that can then attract the attention of some of these Trump supporters.

I got nothing. The news remains exhausting since the election.