Harry's Gang: Tone of political debate lacks respect once known

One of my good friends called another of my good friends a “moron” the other day. In public. He’s not a moron; in fact, he’s quite intelligent and accomplished. His sin? He made some very valid points about a candidate for public office, and my other friend is supporting the other guy.

I had reposted a meme about the economy on facebook. The meme said, essentially, that for the past several decades, Republican administrations have left lousy economies for the next administration, but Democrat administrations leave good economies for the next guy.

The meme pointed out the economy had deteriorated toward the end of Bush 41’s tenure, but was booming when Clinton left office. There was a financial meltdown at the end of Bush 43’s second term, and the economy improved significantly under Obama’s terms. The suggestion was implied: that Republicans destroy the economy, and Democrats build it up.

I don’t necessarily believe that’s true. Many factors affect the economy, and it’s too simple to say “they ruined the economy” or “he built up the economy” without specific facts and details.

So I asked my friends for such facts and details. I was specific in my request: no name-calling, no partisan slogans or spin. I just wanted to see if anyone could either back up the meme’s claims with fact, or expose holes in the theory.

Boy, did I raise a ruckus. Not only did friends post on my Facebook page, but I was inundated with texts, emails, and phone calls from both sides of the issues. I was ridiculed, honored, respected and disrespected. So were most of the people who commented.

No one answered the question.

I had hoped for a good, robust discussion of economic policy. Instead, I got a shouting match.

I can’t tell you how surprised I was at the comments, nor can I explain how disappointed I am that my friends can’t seem to hold a civil conversation on a political topic of great importance. We should be able to debate the idea that higher taxes lead to a secure government that ensures all boats are lifted, or that lowering taxes stimulates growth, and we should be able to show examples of our favorite ideas and how they have healed or hurt the economy.

Instead, I had some good friends calling each other morons and throwing mud at each other.

This happens in politics all the time, but it sure seems worse now.

I was at the Pete Stauber rally a few weeks ago, and our state senator, Jason Rarick, made some comments while introducing Jeff Dotseth, the Republican running against the incumbent state representative Mike Sundin.

Rarick said: “Mike Sundin supports union jobs, and supports veterans and the Second Amendment.” Then he went on to explain why he felt Dotseth should get the job.

I was impressed. He didn’t insult our current representative, and he didn’t bait his audience with stereotypical, emotional, knee-jerk accusations. He simply explained why Dotseth was better for the job. I happened to disagree with him, but I can respect the discussion. Rarick has reasonable, sincere reasons why he feels his candidate is better.

John McCain expressed the same type of class, famously, when he told supporters at a rally that his opponent, Barack Obama, was a “good man; a family man; an American,” with whom he just happened to disagree on important policy issues. That’s how a campaign should be run. That’s how we should be choosing our candidates.

If we continue down this path of rude and obscene campaign slurs directed at the other side, we will never heal the deep divisions in our country. And we’ll start electing the candidate who can come up with the most cruel and vicious attacks against his opponents. Is that who we want as our leaders? I don’t.

By the way, Andy French rose to my challenge. Andy, who has been on my “Harry’s Gang” program many times, explained to me the economic realities that lead to the meme I reposted. He used examples and analysis to explain why the meme should not be interpreted to mean that Republican policy destroys the economy. Andy — who is not above a good, clever jab when it’s appropriate — was completely wrong in his analysis. But at least we could talk about it respectfully, without anger or insults. We need more of that this political season.

Pete Radosevich is the publisher of the Pine Knot News community newspaper and an attorney in Esko who will host the talk show Harry’s Gang on CAT-7 again soon. His opinions are his own. Contact him at [email protected].