Here's hoping for more civility

December 17, 2005

Emily Post summed it up nicely: "(M)anner is personality - the outward manifestation of one's innate character and attitude toward life."

If that's true, the outward manifestation of character of many of our elected representatives in Congress, as well as a few in our state Legislature, leaves a lot to be desired.

Civility in the halls of government has been sorely lacking for too long. Unfortunately, civility appears to be waning in society at large, as well.

Fortunately, 47 U.S. representatives are members Center Aisle Caucus, a bipartisan group founded by Steve Israel, a Democrat from Long Island , and Tim Johnson, a Republican from Illinois.

The group's goal is to foster a more cooperative and respectful climate in the House.

"I am a strong Democrat and Tim is a strong Republican," Israel said. "But, we were sent to Washington to fight for our constituents first, who are undermined when the debate in this town seems more appropriate in an out-of-control elementary school auditorium than in the United States House of Representatives. This is about making the Congress work better. I think there are members on both sides of the aisle that understand that we can stand our ground on core issues without personally attacking each other or questioning each other's patriotism."

Political discourse without personal attacks? There's a novel idea.

Unfortunately, so much of today's political discourse consists solely of personal attacks, a trend that was exacerbated by the Reagan administration's dissolution of the Fairness Doctrine in 1987.

The loss of the Fairness Doctrine, an FCC rule that tried to ensure that broadcasters cover controversial issues in a balanced and fair manner, allowed the proliferation of radio talk shows and TV and cable shows in which the hosts, and guests, wear their partisan hearts on their sleeves.

As a consequence, the level of civility in political discourse has sunk to new lows.

It might be too much to hope that the Center Aisle Caucus can effect truly substantive change in a House of Representatives that too often resembles an "out-of-control elementary school auditorium."

But it's a step in the right direction.