One theme I've seen on both conservative and liberal blogging sites is how much better things would be if the [insert political party here] would only take the gloves off and attack the other side. Why say "My opponent's statements aren't always well supported by factual evidence," when you can just call him a liar? We all know he is! He's also a traitor, coward, moron, pervert, etc...
The reason is simple. Ultimately, these people need to work together. While the election lasts for one day, the governance lasts for 2-, 4-, or 6-years. Most of the Senators who start out on the election trail have to return to the Senate. The only way for the Senate, or any governing body, to function in the long run is to maintain a sense of civility and mutual respect. It may be only a thin veneer of civility, but sometimes that's all that's required. So the candidates refrain from the truly harsh, personal attacks during the short campaign out of deference for the long term good of the Senate. They have to walk a fine line, being aggressive enough to fire up the base and get out the vote, but not so aggressive as to harm the working relationship. To do otherwise would be like a chef burning down his restaurant because he didn't like the soup du jour.
It might not be a bad idea for We The People to act the same way. Maybe we shouldn't call so loudly for the red meat. Maybe we should not work so hard to bait and insult each other on the blogs and instead exchange information and our differing points of view in an honest and respectful manner. Maybe a thin veneer of civility is all that's required. After all, the politicians may have to work together but we have to live together.
The reason is simple. Ultimately, these people need to work together. While the election lasts for one day, the governance lasts for 2-, 4-, or 6-years. Most of the Senators who start out on the election trail have to return to the Senate. The only way for the Senate, or any governing body, to function in the long run is to maintain a sense of civility and mutual respect. It may be only a thin veneer of civility, but sometimes that's all that's required. So the candidates refrain from the truly harsh, personal attacks during the short campaign out of deference for the long term good of the Senate. They have to walk a fine line, being aggressive enough to fire up the base and get out the vote, but not so aggressive as to harm the working relationship. To do otherwise would be like a chef burning down his restaurant because he didn't like the soup du jour.
It might not be a bad idea for We The People to act the same way. Maybe we shouldn't call so loudly for the red meat. Maybe we should not work so hard to bait and insult each other on the blogs and instead exchange information and our differing points of view in an honest and respectful manner. Maybe a thin veneer of civility is all that's required. After all, the politicians may have to work together but we have to live together.
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