Do not lose civility for political gain

In about six weeks, voters will head to polling places to cast their ballots.

Each voter will choose candidates up and down the ballot. Some will follow a straight party line, others will pick and choose, selecting the best candidate for each position based on various criteria and merits.

As with any election, there will be winners and there will be losers. That’s how these things work.

In the years-long election cycle which has defined 21st century American politics, the actual job of governing has taken second position to gaining and retaining political power. An army of consultants and talking heads across the political spectrum have built their fortunes on the perpetual campaigns and have industrialized manufactured outrage.

The machines of outrage will be working overtime in the coming weeks as candidates, campaigns and political action groups pour millions of dollars into spreading their message and seeking to undermine support for their opponents. At the same time, candidates and their proxies will be criss-crossing the countryside talking to any group they can find to share their stump speeches and blow their proverbial dog whistles in an effort to generate a tidal wave of support that will push them to victory.

The challenge for all Americans is what happens in six weeks and one day, or however long it takes to count the ballots and the local boards of canvassers to certify the results.

What happens when the rage machines are finally allowed to be turned off, or will it be impossible to shove that genie back into its bottle?

What passes for political discourse in the social media age is big on bluster and small on understanding and compromise.

As computer algorithms surround us in cocoons of closely matched worldviews, shopping patterns and underlying biases, it is hard to accept that there are others who have different values and viewpoints. It is easy to discount and ultimately dehumanize those who are not like ourselves. This is especially easy when individuals are already part of groups that exist on the margins of popular society.

In this atmosphere, it is easy to build fantasies of villains and heroes and for people to get lost in their fantasies and choose paths that end in violence or the threat of violence.

Boxing legend Mike Tyson once said, “Social media made y'all way too comfortable with disrespecting people and not getting punched in the face for it.” As anyone who graduated kindergarten knows, there are natural consequences when it comes to certain behaviors.

It is vital that we, as adults, relearn that lesson. As a society, we must remember that behind the political yard signs and campaign couture there are people. There are people just like ourselves who care deeply about their families and their communities. There are people just like ourselves who believe in their country and want what’s best for its future, even if they may disagree on the path to follow to get that future.

As we roll into the final weeks of a tumultuous campaign season, we must not lose sight that when the dust settles, that which unites us is still far greater than those who would wish to divide and break the American spirit for their own ends.

If America is to continue to endure and prosper it will be because we are able to set aside our differences and work toward a common good. We must not lose sight of that goal despite what the ads, pundits and politicians may tell us.

The Central Wisconsin Publications Editorial Board consists of publisher Kris O’Leary and editor Brian Wilson.