Commentary: Robert Pawlicki - Just preaching unity is not enough
Robert Pawlicki
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A basket of deplorables, lowlifes, morally corrupt, socialists, communists, idiots, zealots and nut jobs. The short version of a long list. This is the political language commonly found across the United States. In the not too distant background of these labels are stereotypes, class divisions, racism, and misogyny, which magnifies the intensity of the words.
Strong and vindictive language has always been present on the American scene but has gained outsized purchase in recent years. During Obama’s eight years and the candidacy of Hillary Clinton, many conservatives felt ignored, mistreated and abused. During Trump’s four years, liberals felt a harsh and cruel assault on the country’s institutions and all they hold dear. Two sides at each other’s throats. In this environment, are the calls for unity in any way possible?
Howard Richards
Now is a time to emphasize what we should always do anyway, namely: align across sectors for the common good.
The unbounded idea includes sharing surplus, moving resources from where they are not needed to where they are needed, following the ancient principle Pope Francis is now repeating in one form or another almost every day: our property belongs not only to us but also to those we can help with our surplus.
It is about peace by peaceful means; education, ethics, and practical applications; more than about playing hardball with people who choose to live by a different philosophy.