A need to get along

Sun readers

Sunday, April 1, 2012 | 2:02 a.m.

On Monday, we noted that former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee was starting a radio talk show and positioning it to counter conservative standard bearer Rush Limbaugh with the slogan “more conversation, less confrontation.” We asked for your thoughts about civility in public discourse given the heated rhetoric and rough tone recently. That started quite a discussion. Here is a sampling of the letters a we received:

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Culture of winning spawns bad politics

This is what happens when politics becomes about winning and not about representing the people. If you don’t believe me, try and count the number of times you hear the words “win” and “election” in the same sentence. Try it for a week. Elections should not be about winning, they should be about being entrusted as the voice of the people.

When you have people who blindly back one party or the other, they stop discussing politics or issues. They have already made up their minds, so they move straight to arguing about politics or issues. The people argue, the politicians convince us that they have to win because there is more work to be done, we vote for the party we blindly decided to back, and the politicians laugh.

Brandon G. Taylor, Las Vegas

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Thoughtful debate moves us forward

Thank you for bringing up the subject of ever-increasing incivility in public discourse. As a long time social activist, I, too, have observed a worrying trend in our society of increasing lack of civil behavior when fellow Americans (and others around the world) try to debate issues. This disrespectful discourse (insults/personal attacks, threats, diversionary tactics, etc.) has a tremendously polarizing effect on people and never truly resolves issues that we must work out together, civilly, as a nation but instead becomes a “take ’em down” shouting match where no one hears (let alone listens to) the “other side’s” arguments but merely tries to drown them out with their own angry vitriol.

Put simply, this is not what our Founding Fathers intended when they established our thus far highly successful democracy, which requires proper and thorough debate among an educated populace to survive.

Realizing that the issues (such as our national debt and health care) that have often stirred up so much angst and frustration are very critical to the survival of our nation, I call upon my fellow Americans to engage in respectful discussion in the spirit of “you have the right to be wrong in a democracy.” There is always a way to present an argument with passion but also with compassion and respect for all those seeking to help our society which will likely be more listened to by the “silent majority” and may have a better chance, with compromise, of effecting positive social change.

I also encourage the media to not similarly foster and engage in this behavior for the sake of improving ratings. By encouraging the lowest common denominator in our society instead of encouraging us to be more civil and intellectual in our debate, we do the country no favors, as we may likely descend into a “heart of darkness” of violence and chaos which will end up destroying our democracy. I wish Mike Huckabee the best of luck in his effort to stop the mudslinging and elevate our national debate so it can be just that: true debate.

Dr. Michael Pravica, Henderson

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Civility can be learned through example

Civility is the only option! There are far too many public figures in positions of responsibility acting irresponsibly, espousing rhetoric that incites and enables the vulnerability of the uneducated, the weak-minded, and others of questionable mental capabilities. There are major issues in our country that require workable solutions — education, “sick care,” and the spectrum of economic issues ... none of which are going away anytime soon. We desperately need a more civil approach among leadership equipped intellectually with knowledge, skills and with appropriate dispositions. We have a society that is polarized, depressed and uncivil. If Mike Huckabee can offer more polite discussion about issues, then by all means, bring him forward.

It’s not a matter of whether “people want more conversation and less confrontation or a more polite discussion about the issues.” It’s what’s right. Too many people have never been taught “polite society rules.” Behaving like undisciplined children is neither acceptable nor healthy for any civilized environment. We are desperate for leadership by example. It works best in the home, in the classroom, and in the work place.

Gordon S. Hale, Henderson

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The media can help us avoid rudeness

I certainly hope civility is an option. As an admittedly liberal person, I am not sure I would ever regularly listen to Mike Huckabee, but I certainly cheer his attempt to tone down the rhetoric! “More conversation, less confrontation” is a great idea.

I am sick and tired of “news shows” on both Fox and MSNBC that often have “guests” constantly talking over each other and interrupting each other; it is so rude. Even the ladies on “The View” often raise voices, talk over each other and interrupt each other. That is why I much prefer the print media; I have time to read and consider the authors’ views ... without the distraction of eager commentators getting their “spin” on a story or the host striving to provide “equal time” to the egos of their guests.

A great example was the two opposing columns the Sun printed last Sunday: “Obama’s Liberal Problem,” reading the views of Gary Dorrien and Howard Greenebaum without the distraction of interruptions and/or a “biased” host was refreshing! Keep up the good work.

As for Mr. Huckabee, I wish him luck and hope he succeeds in his quest for “civility.”

Bob Rush, Las Vegas