Tolerance

Betty Ford died last week.  She was one of the most gracious, classy, but outspoken first ladies our country has ever seen.  She opened the eyes of the public regarding breast cancer, substance abuse, and women's rights (in opposition to her husband).  She showed that we could disagree and still be agreeable.

Too often in today's political discussions, there is little or no respect for the other side of the issues.  Those with opposing viewpoints are made to appear ignorant or evil.  Both sides of the congressional aisle are eager to throw their opposition "under the bus" in order to be re-elected.  Good, honest debate about issues facing our country is very seldom heard. 

Unfortunately, most Americans believe everything they hear on the "news" and read on the Internet, almost all of which is biased.  Everyone is quick to point out bias on the other side, while ignoring the obvious bias of their sources.  Democrats complain about Fox, and Republicans complain about mainstream media.  There has always been bias in journalism, but never has the level of disrespect on both sides been as obvious as it is now.

I have had two interesting experiences that demonstrate this in connecting with old friends via Facebook.  Both have been raised in and around the same area all their lives, both are very liberal, and both are very intolerant of others' opinions.  My old friend from the neighborhood managed to take any post of mine and turn it into a political rant. She hated President Bush and any conservative representative.  After asking several times for her to stop trying to convert me and turn everything into a political issue, I cut ties with her.  The other friend lives an alternative lifestyle--no problem to me.  This man posted several items about how Republicans are ruining the country, including George Bush, who in his not-so-humble opinion, is responsible for everything wrong with the country starting in 1776 until the end of time.  He posted several "news" items from the Huffington Post about the stupidity of every Republican candidate.  I have to admit I posted a few opposing viewpoints from the Heritage Foundation just to make him angry--not my finest hour.  A comical post about welfare abuse apparently was too much for him.  He insulted me as being insensitive and eliminated me as a contact.  The intolerance of these two people, along with their insistence that their opinions are the ONLY opinions that matter, is very sad. 



Betty Ford asked that Cokie Roberts speak at her funeral about the way "it used to be."  When Ms. Roberts' father was a member of congress alongside Gerald Ford (on opposite sides of the aisle), both men could discuss differing viewpoints civilly.  They would apparently go to lunch together and decide ahead of time which issues to debate.  I have a feeling a lot more was accomplished in those days.

Until we start looking critically at the information to which we are exposed, I don't think the incivility will change.  Being able to speak your mind, no matter what you believe, is one of the greatest freedoms we have in this country.  We need to remember that other opinions have always and will always exist.  Being tolerant of other viewpoints is essential in insuring that the right to free speech is maintained for all of us.