Political participation once involved making strong arguments for or against proposals aimed at the common goal of improving our society. Somewhere in the last few years, however, this goal was sacrificed in the name of contrarianism. Rational fact-based dissent has gone the way of the albatross.
It has been replaced by personal attacks. Instead of a reasoned response to an argument, person the approach is to humiliate the individual. In some cases it can be offensive: “Quiet pig.” This is the lowest form of logical fallacy and usually reflects an inability to justify one's argument or position.
US President Donald Trump, who is often unable to counter arguments with facts, relies heavily on this technique to the point of descending into childish name-calling. Trump responded to Senator Bernie Sanders' arguments in favor of free higher education by attacking Sanders, calling him a communist, without any reference to why he disagreed with the idea.
In fact, anyone who disagrees with the president is a bad person, a fool, or a leftist lunatic. Unfortunately, these insults have gained significant support among his MAGA supporters, who repeat the “Sleepy Joe” and “Stupid” slurs ad nauseum. Political discourse has hit rock bottom, as has the understanding and application of basic logic.
We have to think about how this affects our society as a whole, whose leaders resort to the most illogical methods of asserting their political positions. Once upon a time, there were norms generally accepted among the population without the need for written reminders or codes of conduct.
Code signage is ubiquitous these days, prominently displayed in doctors' offices, taxis, and buses. These codes are generally based on respect for one's fellow citizens and contain a disclaimer that violating elements of the code will result in refusal to serve.
When has our society needed reminders like these to behave with dignity?
Breaking codes has become commonplace in the Trump universe as his henchman, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, authorizes the killing of suspects on the high seas. Opening fire on castaways is not only illegal, but also contrary to the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Codes of conduct are the rails along which our society follows the path of peaceful coexistence.
It is obvious that the US administration views these rules as an obstacle to its selfish goals. Violating established codes, which in many cases took decades to reach through consensus, is a dangerous practice that the world and our children are watching.
Codes of conduct are established as an essential part of a safe and well-run school. Children are encouraged to learn what acceptable behavior is and abide by the code.
As an associate professor of education, my classroom management course for pre-service teachers always began with a hierarchy of codes of conduct—from department to school to classroom. It is extremely important that teachers understand that schools are required to have and follow a code of conduct under the Public Schools Act. Each school's expectations for behavior are very clear and teachers must play their part in achieving these. Bullying and harassment, whether verbal or written, has consequences.
It must be very difficult to maintain acceptable behavior in children when society's role models and leadership behave at a level far below that required in primary schools. The intimidation, abuse and lack of logic that persists even in our Parliament and Provincial Legislature is appalling.
Our Prime Minister and the Leader of the Official Opposition engaged in a long-winded row that reached the depths of depravity, calling each other liars and bigots, including references to Trump's favorite animal, the pig. MLA Rick Wowchuk, who was clearly unable to use sound logic, called one of the members “Pinocchio”. Speaker Tom Lindsay, stunned by these outbursts, said: “I expect better from all of us.” Lindsey does have the power to suspend members if they act unruly, and the time to order members to leave is long overdue.
There is no place for offensive ad hominem attacks in our chambers of government.
It may be time for politicians in the legislature to reconsider the provincial code of conduct laid out for political staff. The code requires all government employees to “treat others with respect, courtesy and dignity.”
The world is facing challenges to established codes of conduct – from kindergarten to the White House. We need to reach a higher standard, which can only come from understanding why these codes are important to the future of society.
Dave Taylor writes regularly for the Free Press. Please visit his blog at https://variousfp.wordpress.com/.
