Is decency gone from politics?

[kentuck]

Is it possible to run on decency in the age of Trump?

Where political rallies turn into mobs, screaming epithets and making threats to their opponents, has become the new norm.

Is it still possible to talk about liberal values? Is it still possible to speak of humanity as one, of equality for all, and love for all.

Although many liberals have never equated their political values with Biblical teachings, it is very much the same religious foundation. Love your neighbor as thyself. Do unto others, etc...

Have we gone beyond that? Is it possible to return to a more decent politics?

[BusyBeingBest]

1. Not on our side. Once we retake the WH, we'll be a decent nation again.

[Rider3]

4. Yes!

[Freedomofspeech]

2. Only from the rethuglican party.

[in2herbs]

3. I don't think that decency in politics will be possible until elections are federally funded as this

will put all candidates on a fair playing field. I wonder how a progressive candidate will do when we get money out of politics? There won't be a MSM for any one candidate to cater to so maybe the MSM will begin to report on issues.

[True Blue American]

5. I agree!

[abqtommy]

6. Sure, it's "possible to return to decency in politics" but not any more likely than the

possibility of me having a flying pony or a visit from my oldest son.

[gopiscrap]

7. I think incivility really exploded with fucking

Newt Gingrich becoming House Speaker

[VOX]

8. Possibly, but politics & entertainment have merged: it's all about "putting on a show" now.

And whoever has the most attention-getting show wins. It hurts to even think about what’s happened. A candidate rises or falls by “consent” of the media, and that’s where the breakdown of civility has its genesis. Trump’s put on an insane show (literally), and media-wise, it grabs undue attention.

It’s not just in the U.S. that fascist/nationalist movements/governments have sprung up. Liberal ideals and democracy are taking a hit worldwide. The task is to reverse that trend.

[kentuck]

13. If it is a TV show, then Democrats should portray Trump as the "heavy".

As a bullying heavy. Make their commercials to show that contrast. Don't make ads about issues other than decency and the American way. Maybe we just need a good Director?

[VOX]

14. Precisely! Cast him as dangerous, as a serial liar, as a menace to healthcare and national security.

Put THEM on the defensive!

I would also recommend that Democrats put on a “branded” touring show, with numerous big-name artists and speakers. Have them perform in the swing states heavily with our candidate.

It couldn’t hurt, that’s for certain.

[kentuck]

15. It makes sense because...

...his base is supporting him from those most basic lizard brain instincts. Show them exactly what they are voting for.

[Caliman73]

9. Yes it is possible. It is necessary.

Democratic candidates need to do two major things to win. One is to push back against Trump. Stand up to him. I don't mean to get down into the gutter with him because he likes that since he has nothing else to run on. The second and equally important thing is to provide a vision of America with progressive values, where we and the government work to resolve issues like poverty and climate change. We need a vision of decency, not to persuade Trump supporters but to get our supporters and those who have been demoralized to be activated and come out to vote FOR something not against someone.

[kentuck]

10. +100

[VOX]

11. Nicely said.

And true.

[Whiskeytide]

12. We had Obama for 8 years. I'm not sure ...

... there has been a more decent president in 40 years. So yes. We can have decency in politics. We just have to get the current rot out.

[0rganism]

16. seems like decency's stock has been on the decline my entire life

not like we got where we are all at once, it's an incremental thing and not monotonic, but over the years decency disappeared gradually and shut the door quietly as it left the building

[GoCubsGo]

17. The Democrats took over the House in 2018 by running on decency.

It was one of the biggest upheavals in history. So, yes. It is not only possible, it's necessary. One of the reasons Dems got voted in is because everyone is sick and disgusted by Trump's and the GOP's indecency. Just because the Trump cult is trying to overwhelm us with their poo-flinging, it doesn't mean we're all falling for it. Enough with the goddamn fear-mongering. Stop doing the Right's work for them.

[maxsolomon]

18. Non-decency is just back where it normally is.

The Post-War order is fading away. Back to business as usual: strongmen taking control and making decency impossible.

[Silver1]

19. Everything in circles

My better half is reading the history of the Roman empire, and reads excerpts to me all the time, because what went on then then and how it happened is just like what's going on right now. It's been a real eye opener that way. Really stunning actually.

We have to keep fighting the good fight! This will pass.