About That Debate - Tom Finneran

Friday, October 02, 2020

Tom Finneran, GoLocalWorcester MINDSETTER™

With apology to Samuel Francis Smith, the author of that beautiful song “America”, I offer the following re-write:

“My country, ‘tis of thee,

Sweet land of liberty,

For thee I cry……………………”

Tuesday’s presidential debate, much anticipated by many Americans, was a disgrace. Shame on all parties, including Chris Wallace who let the avalanche of interruption and invective wipe out the nation’s need and yearning for a civil exchange. Truth be told, at about 9:35 PM, I looked at my wife and said “I can’t take this anymore”. I then went upstairs for an earlier than anticipated quiet bedside read and a good night’s sleep.

I’m a big fan of restoring civics education in the nation’s schools but I cringe at the thought that the debate, which, if properly managed, would have been a good civics homework assignment, actually provided an example of politics at its worst. There goes a whole host of young minds, now thoroughly polluted by the broadcast of that food fight.

Certain words came quickly to mind. Churlish. Boorish. Demeaning. Chaotic. And rueful………………

Each candidate has baggage galore. That’s to be expected from two guys well into their 70s. Also to be expected is a vigorous verbal examination of that baggage. But equally important, each candidate bears the responsibility to behave in a certain manner. Call it civility, call it courtesy, call it good manners. Our politics should not resemble professional wrestling and a Texas steel cage death match.

Perhaps the candidates themselves would benefit from a civics lesson and a reminder from on high that, in Jefferson’s immortal words, “a decent respect to the opinions of mankind”, obliges them to rise to the occasion and to the office of the Presidency. How about a decent respect for the citizens and taxpayers of these United States? Can they grasp that simple but essential standard? After all, it’s a very low bar, one which is met almost every day by most first-graders.

One might fantasize about the eloquence and ability of Lincoln, or JFK, or Reagan, all of whom utilized humor, courtesy, and respect to make their most enduring points. Or one might listen to Churchill’s speeches with his mastery of language and argument to such great effect.

No American can expect Churchillian eloquence to emerge from the mouths of Mr. Trump or Mr. Biden. But what we can expect, and should even demand, is that they air their differences in a manner which is consistent with what we teach our children---civility, courtesy, and respect.

We are expected to be a self-governing nation, governing our appetites and our emotions from excessive indulgence. Please Lord, might the next debates meet that standard and erase the memory of Tuesday’s embarrassment.