What happen to "Civil" discourse?

I hear all the time from pundits and voters alike that we need to have serious discussions about the issues of the day. I challenge you to find someone that claims they wouldn't take such a conversation serious. However, the reality is that we no longer as a society appear able to have such a gathering of minds were people can have a point/counterpoint debate. Speaking of debates, they have more of a tone of Wrestlemania than true intellectual sparing. Between the use of one-liners by candidates and the desire of networks to create spectacle, it is impossible to thoroughly discuss highly complicated topics.

The sad part about this state of affairs is that has bad as the candidates are these days with the mud slinging, you the voter are even worse. I find it funny that the people most effected by the laws the politicians create not only don't detest this ugly practice but themselves freely engage in it. The old days of water-cooler talks have now moved to the age of the internet and more importantly social media. The same social media that is home to teenage chit-chat and selfies has also become a forum for political discourse. This has drug the level of the conversation to that of the unsophisticated teenager.  Gone are the days when someone would clip out a newspaper article or bring a magazine to fortify their argument when having a friendly back and forth with a co-worker. Today it is the unverified internet meme that is the weapon of choice. 

 

While most of the internet meme are silly and childish, the frightening thought is that some people are taking these seriously. I am also scared that people are posting some of this stuff without even checking the facts. If it falls into their line of thinking, then it must be right. It is this lack of effort in searching for the truth that the politicians and their pundits take advantage of. These issues are too large for you the average voter to get lazy and not do your homework. Another thing about these memes that scares me is comparing the candidate you dislike to Hitler. Really??? Because they don't agree with your views of taxes or immigration then they are the same as some that had millions killed. Stop it! Those statement say more about you than the opposing candidate. 

I challenge you my fellow citizens the engage each other and the politicians in debate over the issues. However, I expect that you will do your research and be civil with one another. Acting as mature adults, I feel we can come to some productive conclusions. Below is a video that I think demonstrates how a genuine civil discussion of an issue should work. Look at the style and listen to the proper grammar and language used.

Platt Robertson

Write-In Candidate for President