This week, as many states across America continue to prepare for upcoming elections, one word keeps resonating in my mind as I watch the campaigning.
That one word is “Rhetoric.”
You might use a different word that comes to mind as we watch candidates berate each other.
Whatever happened to being kind to one another?
As one who speaks professionally and aspires to be better, if it’s one word, I know it’s “Rhetoric.”
I would rather have a meaningful conversation in all that I do!
I fully understand that I live in a Red State here in Alabama, and I have the choice to either listen to or reject what is said on television.
As someone who tries to watch it sparingly, I often wonder about the values openly expressed on television.
I hear things about a Politician “Toten” and “Still Toten” as it relates to gun laws.
We have so much gun violence that one can assume it doesn’t matter.
I hear things about blasting people and putting them in the electric chair.
What is even more interesting is how all these people reference President Trump to make sure you know which party they are endorsed by.
Granted, we have the First Amendment, which protects freedom of speech, and the Second Amendment, which protects the right to bear arms.
However, some have taken it to an extreme.
I was curious about how many people involved in the January 6, 2021; insurrection have received a pardon from President Trump.
“Trump’s first action after returning to the White House was pardoning about 1,500 people who were convicted in connection with the January 6 attack that saw a mob of his supporters storm the Capitol in a bid to stop the certification of Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory and keep Trump in power. He commuted the sentences of another 14 people, including leaders of the Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys.”
Full List of January 6 Prisoners Released by Trump – Newsweek
My first thought is that these are “Criminals” who have violated the Constitution of the United States.
Moreover, I know it’s only going to get worse all the way to the elections and the polls, with voter rights affected.
Maybe you enjoy all the rhetoric around you, and that’s okay.
What I don’t enjoy is seeing the fabric of America pulled apart and how the landscape has changed.
I’m still going to do my part and vote; however, I’m also aware that campaigning is not cheap.
Every commercial that runs on television costs money, and as they say, “the squeaky wheel gets the grease.”
I know in contrast to the Japanese proverb, “The stake that sticks up gets hammered down”, or “The nail that stands out gets pounded down,”
Therefore, we are now in a culture where you can use as much rhetoric as your pocket or your conscience can afford.
Today, as you go about your business this week, I challenge you to take a moment to listen to what people are saying and how they say it. Are the words being used kind or true?
There are many wise sayings, but here are two to think about:
“Rhetoric is the art of ruling the minds of men.” – Plato
“Rhetoric is nothing but reason well dressed and argument put in order.” – Jeremy Collier
Good morning, I find your thoughts very timely and interesting especially due to The Bahamas’ recent elections which was held 6 days ago (12th May). Yes, while I support freedom of speech as we also have here in The Bahamas, some persons have taken it to the extreme. It appears that the worst come out of people during what I call ‘election silly season’. I support we can endeavor to be as kind as we can. I thought the quote ‘ Rhetoric is the art of ruling the minds of men by Plato sums it all up.
Patricia,
Greetings,
Thank you for adding value to my blog today. I pray that all went well with the Bahamas’ recent elections. Yes, people can get silly during the elections, depending on how much they have invested in winning.
I am humbled that you like the quote from Plato.
McKinley
Greetings: As a seventy-four(74)year old who has been involved in current affairs, a vast majority of life, the current “Rhetoric” found in campaign ads is repulsive, disrespectful, vulgar, “below the belt fodder,” and totally representative of “the leader of the free world.” It begins at the top and flows downward. This campaign season has brought people to an “all time low” there is a contest regarding who get to the “bottom of the barrel” first. We pray that this nation will move towards respecting all people and placing a guard over their tongues. The old people often said, “Everything that comes up should not come out!” Truer words have not been spoken.
Judge Pettway,
Greetings as well. You have given me something to think about with your comments. I, too, have found that most campaign ads are not only disrespectful but also distasteful. We will continue to see, particularly leading up to tomorrow’s election, candidates going to the “bottom of the barrel.” Prayer is what this nation will need to continue to do.
McKinley