Thug Politics in America

In the words of a favorite song, it's time to check ourselves before we wreck ourselves.

Tom Friedman was on point in his column today. Our politics and national discourse have entered a new era of thug-life. Like bullies on the playground who get out of control, undermining a child's ability to thrive and even resulting in violence, this thuggery threatens to undermine our democracy and erode our American values.

I won't go through the litany of outrageous attacks on the presidency -- suffice to say the latest today is a story on newsmax suggesting that Obama risks a military coup.

Having seen this movie before as a staffer in the Clinton Administration, it is painful to again watch the right-wing machinery crank into overdrive; and the rhetoric spin up on all sides.

Let me say upfront that I was not a fan of the "pc movement"; I believe that while it may be harder, it's far better to have our prejudices and fears out in the open.

As America moves forward in this time of tremendous economic, cultural and social change, the future is uncertain. People are anxious, frustrated and scared. But as we all should have learned as children, there is an appropriate way to express that fear. Just as there is an appropriate way to listen and engage in a discussion about those fears.

While I don't agree with John McCain on much, I honor his service to our country and respect that last summer when his campaign rallies became hostile and destructive, he stood up and pushed back.

So where's the leadership now? Where were Republican and Democratic leaders this summer when the debate once again began to spiral out of control as the bullies seemed to take over the playground?

Whose responsibility is it to "fix" this problem? If Americans really want to move beyond the old politics of division and fear, each one of us has to hold ourselves, our leaders, and the media accountable. Playing a role in de-legitimizing the Presidency of the United States either directly or with our silence, whether for political gain, ratings or bloodsport is unacceptable.

It is particularly disturbing to see many of the same national media who had an almost insatiable appetite for the Whitewater "scandal," and dropped the ball as we were led to war in Iraq based on false information, now seem more interested in covering the process of de-legitimizing rather than take responsibility for their role in it.

Glenn Beck's reckless rantings stoke people's fears and encourage extremists in pursuit of ratings and News Corps' profits. The reward for his deplorable behavior was a Time magazine cover story. Meanwhile, Lou Dobbs is using the platform provided to him by CNN to push right-wing propaganda and legitimize craziness like the birther story or stoke anti-immigrant fears. Recently he showed the true cowardice of a bully as he attempted to shy away from comments he made on his radio show about "bloodsucking leftists" and "driving a stake through his heart" as part of the health care debate. CNN tried to suggest that what he says on his radio show is not the same as his TV show or some such nonsense. Did we tell that to his listeners and viewers?

We can be scared or angry. We can raise questions, concerns or doubts. But we can do it in a manner that strengthens rather than undermines our democracy.

As President Obama so eloquently stated during the campaign, " This union may never be perfect. But generation after generation has shown that it can always be perfected."

It's time we stand up to the bullies.

Follow Karen Finney on Twitter: www.twitter.com/finneyk

Comments

[DaleB]

"So where's the leadership now? Where were Republican and Democratic leaders this summer when the debate once again began to spiral out of control as the bullies seemed to take over the playground?"

The "leadership" cares about one thing and only one thing - aquiring and maintaining political power. And the continued contributions of corporate America to their pockets in furtherence of that goal. As for "bullies", that is and has been a one way street. Who exactly are the "bullies" on the left? Where are the equivalent of the birthers, the teabaggers, the freepers, etc. on the left? There is no "debate" possible between the left and the right in this country. Not least because the right is crazy. Obama proved himself completely out of touch with reality the instant he started blathering about bi-partizenship. We don't need a "dialogue" with the looney right, we need to drive a stake though its cold black heart. And the part of the American culture from which it draws support. Maybe it hasn't become clear to folks who spend a lot of time inside the beltway but out here in the real world there's a war going on for the soul of America. And it's been going on a long time. Their side is serious. It's about time our side got just as serious.

[Nudalhade]

Who wants to go beyond "the old politics of division and fear", to use your quote? Our politics have always been messy and violent, just as the American people are messy and violent. We like it this way!

Read American history.

[pjburke]

Only a very selective -- and dishonestly revisionist -- view of American history could arrive at such a conclusion... one which was predisposed to find only that evidence which supported it while excluding the bulk of the evidence which refutes it.

Right-wing extremists may have always cheer-led for violence... and right-wing extremists may say that they like it -- I'm quite sure that they didn't like how Ruby Ridge turned out for them, however -- but they are a very tiny minority of delusional cranks and kooks.

The vast majority of Americans prefer our non-violent electoral process as established by the Constitution.

[CharlesHale]

I agree with your article 100%. The only question is what strategy do you use to win the fight?? All to often the voices of reason and civility are snuffed out by angry rhetoric. A perfect example is Democrat Alan Grayson. Rep. Grayson received all kinds of publicity today on MSNBC because of his statements about the Republican plans for healthcare. Sensationalism has taken over the air waves. Although a lot of us think the Jerry Springer show is ridiculous, there's a reason it's been on the air for 19 years.

[madtom]

It is clear that word has come down from Republican High Command to pursue the politics of personal destruction to the ultimate: Surrender or be terrorized round the clock.

When my ex started behaving like this, I knew we had to get a divorce.