My Grandpa told me that in all the important questions in life — behavior, philosophy, morals, religion, whathave you — he had one principle: the Golden Rule. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
That’s corny, I know, but it’s worth thinking about as we survey the state of our politics today. Particularly if you watched the so-called “debates” among the Republican Gauleiters, and their obedience to their Fűhrer.
Where today, if anywhere, can we find a Republican politician treating anyone, anywhere, as the politicians themselves would like to be treated?
All I hear from the Gauleiters is whining, and all I hear from Der Fűhrer is vows for revenge.
In a moment of reverie, I called up a video clip of President John F. Kennedy’s press conferences. The difference in, well, everything, between those days and today is appalling.
I remember the optimism with which Kennedy inspired our nation. I don’t think he was a very good president, in acts on the ground, though he was excellent in oratory.
I remember exactly where I was when I heard he had been shot, and I remember seeing Jack Ruby murder Lee Harvey Oswald on TV. As I’ll bet anyone my age does too, no matter his or her political party.
For the record: The so-called “liberal press” did not go easy on JFK. There was no liberal press then, nor is there now. (For more on this, see Ben Bradlee’s book, “Conversations With Kennedy.”)
A popular libel against candidate JFK was that because he was Catholic, he would “take orders from the Pope.” Though I cannot recall any Protestant presidential candidate being accused of taking orders from the Archbishop of Canterbury.
If you watch the press conferences above, you’ll see that the press asked him intelligent questions, and that Kennedy responded with humor, leaving good feelings all around, no matter where you stood on the question.
I am hardly a Biblical scholar, but I have read The Good Book from cover to cover, twice. What I remember, aside from the Sermon on the Mount, is Proverbs, 15:1: “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”
Well?
Isn’t it true that if a public figure today would respond to a question with a “soft answer,” her enemies would pounce, with invective, aspersions and worse, declaring her unfit for office? And drive her from office? From Penn State, for instance?
When did this become a rule: Shut up or march in lockstep or we’ll fire you?
Cowards all around — but the cowards who hold the cards win.
Now look at the campaigns of our wannabe Fűhrer and his toe-sucking acolytes.
Is the Fűhrer’s campaign, or is it not, based upon stirring up anger? Against Democrats, against his own toadies, against government itself?
If that is not the basis of Der Fűhrer’s campaign, then I wish someone could tell me what it is.
Republicans have been very effective at thumping Bibles and pointing fingers, (Matthew 7:1) and it wins them votes, in the time they can spare from having threesomes.
Democrats should jump on that bandwagon. Not the threesomes: the Bible quotes.
Quote the Bible ad nauseam. Pick a few quotes and sling them about, then ask: “And you, Senator (or congressman, or presidential candidate) How does your program fit in there?”
For one, it’ll drive them nuts. Two: It’s true. Three: How many politicos could rip off a snappy retort, from the Bible, to try to score points against the Democrats?
None of ‘em, I bet.
How about: “A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.” (Matthew 5:14)
How about: “Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matthew 5:38-39)
How about: “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you …” (Matthew 5:43-44)
Well, how about it, Republican showoffs? Can’t you live up — even once a week, or ever, in your pathetic two- or six-year terms — to the standards your professed hero asked of you?
I guess not.
Even Don Rickles, an insult comic, left his audiences, and the targets of his barbs, laughing and happy — black, white, women, men, gay, straight — happy to be there together.
He made jokes about Black folks to Black folks, and they loved it. You know why? Because Don knew what he was talking about. He’d been there. Behind his jokes were love and compassion, and knowledge about the people he spoke to, and for.
Knowledge, love and compassion. Don’t those qualities sound like good things to acquire, before you shoot your mouth off about “vermin”? Especially, knowledge.
Democrats, if you want to stop this madman and his henchmen, adopt some of their tactics. Quote the Sermon on the Mount against them. Day after day after day. You don’t have to believe it. They don’t. Just mouth the words …
Subscribe to our columns
Want new op-eds sent directly to your inbox? Subscribe below!
Additional Reads
-
-
Biden taps four for Eastern courts May 8, 2024