Health Care Is Treating Each Other Humanely First
“We must settle our differences with civility and common sense, even where we differ.” Senator Barbara McCulsky (Democrat, Maryland)
Since the election of President Barack Obama, we have become an increasing uncivil society. It has occurred in surprisingly unlikely places (the floor of Congress during a Presidential address) and from unlikely persons (Senators and Congresspersons). Prior to the passage of the landmark healthcare legislation, people seem to have lost their (un)natural minds. From Joe "You Lie" Wilson to Minority Leader John Boehner, the contempt for Obama is primordial and the Tea Party – in spite of protests to the contrary is their far right wing – a wing that they are afraid to insult.
In the wake of this legislation, angry opponents of healthcare reform have targeted those who trumpeted it, attacking them in public and under the shelter of darkness. As a result, ten Democratic Congresspersons are under guard due to serious death threats, a number not heard of in Congressional records.
This is not what hope and change looks like. Congresspersons and Senators must remember that they are the people’s representatives and there to work on our behalves. They must be more concerned with doing right than with getting reelected. So here is my brief list of what is we need immediately on this topic:
We ask that our Congressional leaders:
Make a bipartisan resolution or law that violent language and behavior by political leaders and their followers will no longer be tolerated. They must make apologies for ways that they may have given aid to those who would spit on, curse at or otherwise denigrate the President and members of Congress, as well as to the ways that they themselves have done this.
This means that Sarah Palin must take the campaign map with bulls-eyes and the statement, “Don’t retreat, reload" off of her web page. (If you are on FB, go to the 3.23.10 (map) and 3.24.10 (statement) Sarah Palin pages).
Congressman Steve King (R, Iowa) stood was cheered on while he slapped the a poster of Nancy Pelosi's face, since described as "high drama" rather than just wrong.
Michael Steele (Chairman, Republican National Committee) must not speak of Democrats in negative military language as targets to be picked off. Someone will take him up on it.
In response to the health bill passage, Rick Vanderboegh, a Tea Party blogger was quoted as saying, "People are cleaning their guns."
The Gadsden flag (the "Don't Tread on Me flag that was used when we fought the British) was flown from the balcony of the Capital building byCongresspeople during the health care vote. It reflects secessionist leanings and a significant concern that our government needs to be overthrown.
Republicans must say in the one voice in which they have been speaking all year, “This behavior is not acceptable. We can differ with our Democratic colleagues but will not stand by this outrageous conduct.”
Give the force of law to acts of political vandalism, arresting and imprisoning those who attack break standing and new laws.
Give the force of law to threats or attempts of violence against the US President or other political leaders (different than laws already on the books or First Amendment laws).
Deinstitutionalize hate speech – which is not free speech - on talk radio and other media.
Learn to sit with the discomfort that occurs when their positions lose, but shake hands with the victors and cooperate with the process.
Themselves use polite and not violent and incendiary language as this eggs on and can make unstable their political bases.
Find and live their compassionate hearts.
Sign the Charter for Compassion in a public ceremony and display it prominently in the chambers of the House and Senate.
We ask that the American people:
Also learn to sit with the discomfort that occurs when their positions lose, but shake hands with the victors and cooperate with the process.
Disavow violence.
See each human being as a member of their own family.
Sign the Charter for Compassion which "calls each of us to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves and to honor the inviolable sanctity of every human being with absolute justice, equity and respect." (http://www.charterforcompassion.com/)
Find and live their compassionate hearts.
We ask that faith leaders:
Routinely talk to their congregations about the importance of kindness, fairness, and faith.
Reinforce that all faiths have in common the Golden Rule – “do unto others as you would have done unto you” or “do not do unto others what you would not have done unto you.”
Create opportunities to work with groups different than those in your congregations, beginning at young ages.Sign the Charter for Compassion and display it prominently in their houses of faith.
Live their compassionate hearts.
Finally, these days we could learn a few things from the Dalai Lama who has said:
If you can, help others; if you cannot do that, at least do not harm them
Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.
My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.
Or if none of the above work, consider rewriting the childhood rhyme:
Sticks and stones can break my bones and words can surely hurt me.
America can't be the model for democracy in the world when we throw free speech at each other in solid – and potentially deadly - form.