Civility

Recently there’s been considerable debate about the behaviour of so-called Bernie bros in the Democratic primary, and I thought it was important to weigh in on this important

issue. Now it may not be “glamorous”- who wants to talk about talking? But as Buttigieg said, the shape of our democracy is the issue that affects all other issues. Civility must come to the centre of our political discussions. We simply can’t afford to neglect this issue just because it sounds like “inside baseball”. Discourse matters if we are to come together

As a nation and find mutually beneficial solutions to our common problems. We all live here together and, like it or not, that means we all have to be accountable for the way

that we speak to each other. The way that we inhabit the spaces of mutual concern. Process, not just outcome matters, and discourse in which we passionately debate

The issues, but not our fundamental intentions- recognising that as Americans we are all bound together through a common and irrevocable bond. It can be hard to remember

In the heat of a debate that we are engaged in something inherently important- even miraculous- the democratic process where the voice of the Walmart worker and the

Voice of the Walmart owner both carry equal weight- an accomplishment our ancestors would have considered impossible. But belief in America means belief in the importance

Of our norms of discourse, which make this all possible.