Rep. Dusty Johnson: A call for civility
A while back, I was welcoming home a National Guard unit that had been overseas. After the ceremony, a sergeant who had been deployed three times, including twice to an active combat zone, thanked me for my service, saying he couldn’t imagine a post so difficult.
I was speechless. We know our politics are too jagged, too mean, too combative when those who have risked their lives in the defense of our country think that political engagement is the tougher duty.
The tragic events that unfolded at the Trump rally are the horrific picture of our national political climate. We’ve all seen and felt the tension rising over the last several years, and we know the temperature and hateful rhetoric has gone well over its boiling point.
Too often, we view those with differing opinions as enemies, rather than fellow Americans. Our country is not well-served by that. Anger is a powerful short-term motivator, but it isn’t a foundation for successful marriages, churches, businesses, communities, or careers.
We must have thoughtful discourse among engaged citizens, not emotional attacks of enraged partisans. Here are suggestions for those willing to rise to the occasion:
1. Provide the Benefit of the Doubt – Relationships fail when couples stop assuming the best in each other. I’d like our country to stay together for a while longer, even if it’s just for our kids. We can’t assume the other side is always motivated by racism, fascism, communism, or some other evil -ism. Give them the benefit by first assuming they view an issue differently than you do.
2. Subscribe to Reputable News Sources – Facebook is not a reputable news source. It’s home to adorable puppy photos, cute dance videos, and wildly unreliable news posted by your Uncle Trent. All too often, free news, especially the kind shared on Facebook, fuels our fear, anger, and outrage. Instead, find two professional news sources, pay for their content, and consume it regularly. But if these sources only tell you what you already believe, you are paying for propaganda, not news.
3. Reject Whataboutism – Rather than engaging on the specific merits of an issue, an online commenter will say “what about this,” and point to a past mistake of the other side in an attempt to discredit their view. This diverts the discussion of the issue at hand. We should evaluate the merits of an argument, not the imperfections of its messenger. No one is perfect, therefore, good ideas come from flawed people.
4. Criticize Actions and Ideas, Not People – Insults abound in political discourse, but you’ll be a better citizen if you avoid using them. We should have robust and spirited debates. Attacks on weak ideas and improper actions can be done without labeling someone evil, crooked, or a traitor.
5. Amplify Constructive Views – Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) can be steaming dumpster fires of outrage. Support those who are trying to be constructive by using logic rather than bile. It can be as simply as giving their comment a thumbs up. It’s more fun to retweet an angry hot take, but it’s better for our nation if you share something productive. Politics must be about addition and multiplication, not subtraction and division.
6. Illegitimi non carborundum “Don’t let the bastards grind you down.” – Even when you are overwhelmed by negativity, don’t give up. Politics is not a spectator sport. If the respectful citizens allow negativity to drive them out, the trolls win.
Terrible tragedies, like the assassination attempt on former President Trump’s life, can serve as a catalyst for our nation to come together. I’m ready to do my part. I know I can’t change everything overnight, but I hope my actions move the needle in the right direction, and I hope yours will, too.
Rep. Dusty Johnson is the U.S. Representative for South Dakota. He has held the at-large seat since 2019.
This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Rep. Dusty Johnson: A call for civility
