Civility and citizenship

WRITE OF CENTER ENTER Chair.

ART HUMPHRIES

KENDALL COUNTY REPUBLICAN

Our Boerne Star editor Jeff Flinn does an amazing job every week in covering events, issues and other activities around our area. Be it photographing, writing, editing and laying out, he and a very small team create a first-class product. I say that, even though he and I cordially have our differences of political opinions.

Except for the choice of cartoons he runs on the editorial page: Good man.

In a recent edition, Jeff presented a bible verse on the editorial page that struck a chord in this election season. It was Proverbs 11:9. “With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors, but through knowledge, the righteous escape.”

That verse emphasizes the importance of discernment in navigating conversations and the impact of one’s speech on others.

Unfortunately, we’re seeing some of that wickedness bleed through in social media and in residential mailings by candidates in both parties. I anticipate it will continue through the November election.

Some candidates and their supporters outright lie about their accomplishments, objectives and opponents. Some present half-truths (sophism). Some even buy their way for endorsements.

Some actually tell the truth. But unless you are involved with any of the candidates, you wouldn’t know if they’re telling the truth, let alone being civil.

While we might like to assume good intentions, it begs the question of civility and citizenship. That connection seems to boil up during elections regardless of party affiliation.

Let’s not forget, we all live here as neighbors, if not truly friends. We don’t need fist fights. A key I learned in training, the best fight is the one you walk away from.

The same people who seem to love Election Day to the point of tearing down the candidates they don’t support, seem indifferent about Constitution Day. What I hear only from Democrats is that they see our nation’s foundational policy as a “living Constitution.” That attitude destabilizes the constitutional morality vital to the connection between citizenship and civility in a democratic society.

As each state entered the Union, it agreed to abide by the Constitution. So, what in abiding a constitution is the connection of civility and citizenship? The connection is apparent in many countries where there is citizenship without the restraints of civility; nor in other places is it unusual for non-citizens to be civil. But how is it possible to combine civility and citizenship in healthy and mutually reinforcing ways?

Would you agree, to be “civil” means to be polite, respectful, decent. It is a quality implying the check on sophism and outright lying.

In this wisdom, civility is not the same thing as warmth, Civility helps cool hot passions in citizenship. When citizens are civil to one another despite their political disagreements, they show that these disagreements are less important than their resolution to remain fellow citizens.

While I prefer dealing with facts, political friendships can be based on better or worse opinions. Let’s make it that way; if our Democrat or Republican candidates and their supporters can’t stick to the facts and talk about themselves and their own goals or performance, then give us balanced opinions about how to make things better for our fellow citizens.

Here are some ideas from a conservative perspective: The Democrats focus on increasing government spending and regulation. That intensifies existing problems rather than solving them.

High taxes discourage economic activity. Government can’t create jobs; it hinders private sector growth and job creation.

The current global economy offers unprecedented opportunities for wealth creation through entrepreneurship and innovation. Technological advancements are the result of free market dynamics, not government intervention. Those advancements highlight the need for privatization to enhance efficiency.

Freedom is essential for human progress. Government interventions often limit such freedom, countering the benefits of a free market. Public sector problems are best addressed through private sector solutions, as individuals drive economic growth and innovation.

The market operates as a self-regulating system, and its efficiency is crucial for prosperity. A shift away from government control toward privatization and free market principles foster economic growth and personal freedom.

So, if you want to know more how Republicans feel or approach solutions to local and national challenges, please start locally — give us a look at kcrptx. com.

Art Humphries is a former Kendall County Precinct