"Political Correctness" Is Not All Bad

Labeling something as "politically correct" appears to be a popular conservative put-down of almost any opinion contrary to their own. In their lexicon, if one is "politically correct," she/he is soft, weak or fearful of calling "a spade a spade"(pun intended).

Donald Trump has said: "I don't have time for political correctness."  Many have argued that political correctness is the "tyranny of manners," and others say it muzzles free speech.

In light of the rhetoric surrounding this year's presidential elections, I would like to make a case for discerning speech, i.e, what is frequently disparaged as "political correctness."

First, I am not advocating that "political correctness" should interfere with someone's free speech, but I am suggesting that the manner in which one expresses their thoughts should be within the constraints of civility. I think any serious adult can make their point without using words like homo, bitch, or retard, especially if these terms are directed at another person. These terms are even unacceptable on junior high playgrounds.

Referring to women or their body parts with the p-word or the c-word is beyond the realm of common decency and should not be tolerated. Using the f-word or n-word is wrong for many reasons other than an issue of "political correctness."


However, the term, "political correctness, " is in itself a caricature promoted by those who wallow in racist, sexist, and xenophobic diatribes. What is at issue is not political at all; it is about common decency and civility -- two values that have been thrown under the bus in 2016. In the most recent "town hall" debate, even the body language exhibited disturbing signs of inappropriate stalking. Who would have considered a candidate from a major political party would graphically boast about sexual assault?

The 2016 presidential election cycle is unique in many ways; and although it may influence future campaigns, I hope that the lack of civility will be proven to be an unacceptable tactic.

I long for the days of cultured conservatives like William F. Buckley who could attack an opponent without resorting to vulgarity and name-calling. "I would take you seriously, but to do so would affront my intelligence."

Trump Sees US as a Third World Country

Trump doesn't know what a 3rd World Country is.

In his first presidential debate with Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump said: "We are a third world country."

Such a comment is not surprising from a candidate who continually disparages our country. His campaign to "Make America Great Again," suggests that America is not great, and that we should go back to the way things were in the past.  The question then becomes: Where does he want to go back to?  The days of slavery? The days women were not allowed to vote?  World War Two? Bush's war in Iraq/?  Bush's Great Recession? The economic good times of Bill Clinton's Administration?

If we are a third world country now, what were we before Barack Obama became President -- a time we were facing another Great Depression?


And how would Donald Trump even know what a third world country is? Granted he flies all over the world in his private jets, but he never visits the impoverished countries of Africa. Why would he go there? They have no money. Donald Trump does not know what a third world country really is. He avoids countries that have no plush hotels and golf courses. He does not want to be near poverty and disease. Thus, he is hardly the one to tell us we are a third world country.


But, to be fair to Mr. Trump, he was probably speaking about the state of our infrastructure. (Of course, one never knows; he makes a career out of being unclear.) Even if he was speaking only of our infrastructure, the question remains: How would he know what a third world infrastructure is? His sons probably know a bit about third world countries since they travel the world to kill large animals.


Although our infrastructure is not that of a third world country, it is deteriorating and is in need of attention. What Donald fails to mention is that President Obama has been pushing for infrastructure improvements which would also generate new jobs, but Donald's  fellow Republicans in Congress consistently prevent any such projects. Unfortunately these GOP congress men and women have taken the position that they will prevent anything that President Obama proposes, even though all agree such proposals are for the good of the country.

It is an unfortunate day for our country when one of our major parties stymies the efforts of our President to enhance the country, and that same party's presidential candidate is trashing his own country and exalts the Russian leader, Vladimir Putin.