Billy Dursens for CrossDove Writers

Maybe the most important thing we could be voting for at mid-term elections is the opportunity to bring back some civility to our leadership in Washington and throughout the country itself.

One of the very best references to defining ‘civility’ came from the founders of the Institute for Civility in Government, Tomas Spath and Cassandra Dahnke. Their reference to ‘civility’ on their website, www.instituteforcivility.org, was ‘claiming and caring for one’s identity, needs and beliefs without degrading someone else’s in the process’.

Furthermore, they explained that ‘civility is about more than just politeness, although politeness is a necessary first step. It is about disagreeing without disrespect, seeking common ground as a starting point for dialogue about differences, listening past one’s preconceptions, and teaching others to do the same. Civility is the hard work of staying present even with those with whom we have deep-rooted and fierce disagreements. It is political in the sense that it is a prerequisite for civic action. But it is political, too, in the sense that it is about negotiating interpersonal power such that everyone’s voice is heard, and nobody’s is ignored.’

Most of all they say that ‘civility begins with us’.

One of the most agonizing observations over the past several years is the total lack of civility that has taken root within our government, within the halls of the working Senate, House of Representatives and White House.

When you vote, look for those who appear to have the fortitude to become the next generational political statesman. You know like Hubert Humphry, Tip O’Neil, Edward Kennedy, John McCain, Robert Dole, Nance Kassenbaum, Carl Curtis, John Glenn, Walter Mondale, Sam Rayburn and Eugene McCarthy.

Look for that person who will not badger, bad mouth, insult, humiliate, give falsehoods or make fun of others, including their opponent. Look for that person who will run for what the country should be doing and possible what their opponent is not doing.

Our country is more divided now than I think I ever remember it being, and that says a lot for a guy that grew up in the 1960’s and 70’s.

When we have a current leader, who baths in the satisfaction of humiliating, insulting, giving falsehoods and making fun of others – our country has a problem not only here at home, but throughout the world.

When we have a current group of so-called leaders in the Senate and House of Representatives who have lost their spine as we the citizens watch the current administration waste away our money, our environment, our healthcare, our public education, and eventually our access to social security and Medicare – our country has a problem with the checks and balances of the White House.

When we have leadership in Washington who openly declare they want to bring down a Presidency, while hiding in the shadows of one that promotes incivility, hate, greed and heart – then our country has a big problem.

When we have folks in Washington who care more for the profits of the companies who donate to them, then the poor, hungry and fearful families that come knocking on our door to better their life – then our country has a problem.

When we have leadership in Washington that can not be civil to the math of science – then our country has a problem.

When we have a leaders in the White House, the Senate and the House of Representatives that are not civil enough toward the people they work for, which is all of us citizens of the United States, but instead laugh off injuries or death for tax breaks for those who already have more than they know what do with or the almighty dollar another country is paying us to build their war machine – then our country has a problem.

When we have a leader in the White House who literally makes fun of disabled or female journalists as part of their speech – then our country has a problem.

When we have a leader in the White House who call the press the enemy and does not acknowledge a bomb being sent to a media outlet, but instead will blame the media – then our country has a problem with part of the checks and balances.

When civility is gone, then our grand country loses its stand on the world stage as the shining light for all – and that my friends is the doorway we are looking at during the elections of this mid-term.

Restore the civility within our government and help our country work on being able to once again be that Beacon of hope, faith, love and grace.

For now – I just say, GET OUT AND VOTE!!

For now, I just gotta say – this is how I feel.

(Copyright@2018, CrossDove Writers – no part of this may be printed, copied or used without written permission by CrossDove Writers and Billy Dursens.)