Member-only story
The growth of online media makes it easy to call each other names and put each other down.
We should be able to sharply disagree without trying to devalue the other.
Platform X has become a favorite venue for many to inappropriately vent their bile and acrimony but the practice is widespread.
That’s not good for our democracy.
Many voices have called for moderation in our speech but their pleas don’t seem to make a difference. It may be getting worse.
It doesn’t help that we’ve elected a president who indulges in such excesses. Even relishes it.
So he models for many Americans.
Some in his own party have asked him to restrain his vulgarities but he keeps at it.
The president elect won the electoral ballot by a good margin but he got only three million votes more than his opponent. That’s not much of a difference in a country our size.
I do not think Mr Trump has the capacity to correct his abusive language.
And since the language we use is a reflection of our essence, then we’re in for a rough ride.
The voters who elected him knew it. And yet gave him a pass.
Some of Mr Trump’s first proposed appointments for important positions in his administration have been awful choices. Some in his own party have been surprised.
But Trump is Trump. And he sees no need to improve. As if saying, ‘voters knew what they were getting into and still they voted for me. So, there.’
Sadly, his persona becomes a reflection of who we…
