CNN: Shooting throws spotlight on state of U.S. political rhetoric

CNN: Shooting throws spotlight on state of U.S. political rhetoric

"We need to do some soul searching," Dupnik told reporters. "It's the vitriolic rhetoric that we hear day in and day out from people in the radio business and some people in the TV business.

"When you look at unbalanced people, how they respond to the vitriol that comes out of certain mouths about tearing down the government, the anger, the hatred, the bigotry that goes on in this county is getting to be outrageous. Unfortunately, Arizona, I think, has become sort of the capital," Dupnik continued.

"We have become the mecca for prejudice and bigotry," Dupnik said.
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"People tend to pooh-pooh this business about the vitriol that inflames American public opinion by the people who make a living off of that. That may be free speech but it's not without consequences," Dupnik said.

The recent murders in Arizona bring to mind once again the danger associated with radical politics.  When we treat politics and governance as a game of winners and losers, when we use inflammatory rhetoric to paint the opposition, when  we accuse those who disagree as being evil then we get this kind of fringe behavior. 

One might argue that the perpetrator(s) were unbalanced and that the radical right is thus not responsible.  This argument strikes Common Sense as sophomoric and entirely specious.  Those who seek to inflame for political gain and those that play the "agent provocateur" are responsible for the consequences of their speech.  Common Sense thinks that much of what passes for politics and political speech today is dangerously close to screaming fire in a crowded theater.  It is not good politics!  It is not civil!  It should not be acceptable in a free civil society! 

Common Sense thinks that the recent election of many who condone and engage in such action is a great risk to the country.  It's important that we keep foremost in mind that politics and governance is not a game.  It is not about winners and losers.  Politics and governance is much more important than that.  It's about the welfare, the common good, the general welfare of all Americans. 

Common Sense thinks it's time, long since past time, when  politicians start behaving like adults.  When they take responsibility for their actions.  When they turn to the real vital business of governance and stop treating it like a game.  Common Sense thinks that those politicians that behave otherwise should be replaced at the earliest possible election.

Think otherwise?  Consider that in the last week we've had six politically motivated murders, one congresswomen with a bullet wound to her head, and two incendiary devices sent to government officials.  Common Sense thinks Republicans particularly need to grow up and start acting like responsible adults not children playing a game.