by Ken Root
In the course of my lifetime, I can say, unequivocally, that our demeanor toward each other has declined in politeness and respect. Each time I see a public display of rude behavior and disparaging remarks, it makes me want to go back to a time when words and emotions were kept in check. I realize the fires inside us have always been the same but I can?t say I find the increasing level of verbal attack is beneficial to maintaining society. Politics have always been a place where rude behavior comes forth but the decorum of current candidates for President of the United States have plunged to new lows in a country that once considered itself to be civilized.
I believe the actions of politicians are an extension of our demeanor and values but this cycle has flown out of control so far that any hope for turning the situation back toward respectable exchanges seems to be lost. Still, they are our candidates and one that does not resonate with some sector quickly falls away. That means we like bullies, liars, cheats and bamboozlers. There doesn?t seem to be any word or accusation the top candidates will avoid if its utterance will gain an advantage in the polls.
I?m a fan of a PBS television series called ?Downton Abby? produced by the BBC. It is in its sixth, and final, season and set in the Yorkshire Dales of England in an unbelievably fine home of the nineteenth century. The storyline began in 1912 and carries through the late 1920?s. The British aristocracy are still living in the finery of their glory years even though the world around them is changing. They struggle with realities of World War I and the invention of modern conveniences such as electric lighting, the telephone and phonograph. Still, the Crawley?s have a butler and full household staff who live and work downstairs while the lord, lady and daughters live in the beautifully appointed surroundings of the estate with their every need cared for by the servants. Their public demeanor toward each other is quite refined and beckons back to an era of strict rules of etiquette and social engagement. It may have taken centuries to build the British Empire but they knew how to live well by wielding their wealth and position.
However, the inner struggles of the Abby make up the real story conveyed by Julian Fellowes as he writes historically accurate dialogue for this dying lifestyle. The treachery of the elite is no less complex and brutal than our indiscretions of today. The willingness of one to sell out another is offset by good and kind behavior only to then go down another path that surely would make one blush if we witnessed similar activity in our modern homes and institutions. The series addresses criminal behavior, homosexual activity, racism, sexism, Antisemitism and class warfare in a most provocative way.
My conclusion, based on history read and docu-dramas viewed, is that humans have always been the same under the skin but our ancestors viewed decorum as a means to maintain the status quo in social, business and political circles. Today, we have tossed all that away and determined televised mud wrestling to be the best approach to gaining fame and fortune.
I subscribe to the unlikely philosopher, Rodney King, whose videotaped beating by police caused him to declare: ?Can?t we all just get along?? There are several people with whom I differ politically but respect personally. You can probably name several in your inner and outer circles as well. Former President Bill Clinton was, and is, admired for his intellect and ability to engage in conversation and truly ?feel your pain?. Yet the extension of his wife, Hillary Clinton, into this round of political candidacy has few leaning toward her personally but leaning away politically. It appears we have reached true polarization. Have Rush Limbaugh?s radio diatribes made us so angry that we must hate every fiber in the being of our political opponents?
Is all this a sign that we are witnessing the downfall of our nation? Many hope that is true but only after they die. It is funny to contemplate why someone, who has lived a long life, prospered under our form of democracy and witnessed the evolution of American society, would want to see it self-destruct just to prove their criticism is right.
Media is blamed for pretty much everything but it does telescope human interaction and creates an epidemic of behavior changes. An example is every boy wanting to grow his hair like Elvis Presley or The Beatles in the 1950?s and 1960?s. Today, most want to be tattooed from head to toe and tomorrow there will be something that starts somewhere and ends up everywhere in a matter of minutes. We are now like the universe: expanding and changing at an increasing rate of speed.
Back to our world and little towns that dot the prairie. The oldest living generation knows how to be polite and usually conduct themselves in a proper manner. Those who defied the casualness of modern society passed the social graces on to their children and even influenced their millennial grandchildren. Newly responsible parents of today are teaching their children social reality that equates to the Golden Rule of relationships. We can stop contributing to the chaos of the era but must we become the ?Puritans? of tomorrow to make sure yesterday is preserved?
I think we will set the tone for twenty-first century in the next year. In that timeframe, we will elect a President from the most unwieldy field in history and we will battle for liberal or conservative direction of our courts and federal agencies. Barring any outside influence that knocks us off balance, we shall soon shape our new political and social rules. There is still hope Americans will demand accountability in how we play our business, social and political games rather than just the objective of winning at all costs.
