One of the most fascinating concepts you learn as a child, and should be conveyed throughout your life, is respect. Respect your elders, respect your teachers, respect your parents and grandparents. Respect your neighbor.
You may not like them or agree with them. But you were taught to respect them.
A good example: In the Mafia, when a “sit-down” meeting was held between factions which disagreed with each other, the “capo” or the boss would expect each side to make their arguments known, respectfully, without yelling or slamming fists on the table. Once one lost his temper during the meeting, no matter the point being made, he lost his valid argument.
The phrase made most often used, when disagreeing, would be “with all due respect” or “I mean no disrespect”. In a tone which reflected sincerity. Not yelling or name-calling.
But today, in the “civilized” world of politics, respect is absent. From both sides of the aisle.
But it is with those on the Left which seems to have lost the ability to convey respect. They feel their arguments have legitimacy because they yell at those with whom they disagree, and are more noticed by a sympathetic media.
But they show no respect for viewpoints other than their own. And that is problematic in a society which expects civility in conversation. But they have watched Democrats in the Congress show contempt for those who oppose them. And have, wrongly, learned this behavior is acceptable.
It isn’t.
It is time for people to tone down their belligerent behavior, take a breath or two, and listen to what others are saying before jumping to scream out and continue to show your lack of respect.
Even in the criminal world of the Mafia, one learns to show respect for his opponents more than those on the Left. Maybe we should have a “Don” show you how you should act.
And learn how to respect each other again.
