Eloquence

Shouting, name calling, insults about the size of sex organs, threats of physical violence, and ridicule are what we hear coming out of the mouths of the men who want to be president. The most memorable quote from this year’s presidential campaign is Donald Trump reacting to a protestor at one of his rallies by telling the crowd, “I’d like to punch him in the face, I’ll tell you that.” Anger, and appealing to our worst instincts, has replaced hope and optimism. This is what millions of Americans think will “Make America Great Again”. The words of demagogues instill fear.

People used to want leaders to recognize their needs and concerns, and to be reassured that those leaders will rally the country to find solutions and make our lives better. Politicians should be using language to inspire us. We should long to hear Abraham Lincoln speaking of binding up the nation’s wounds after the Civil War. Franklin Roosevelt told us “We have nothing to fear but fear itself” as the country looked into the abyss of the Great Depression. John Kennedy pushed a new generations of Americans to “…Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” Ronald Reagan comforted the nation after the shuttle Challenger explosion saying, “We will never forget them…as they prepared for their journey and waved goodbye and “slipped the surly bonds of earth” to “touch the face of god”. And yes, Barack Obama talking about healing the racial divide, “…we can come together and say, “Not this time. This time we want to talk about the crumbling schools that are stealing the future of black children and white children and Asian children. This time we want to reject the cynicism that tells us these kids can’t learn.”

Some of the rallies and most of the debates of this presidential campaign have been embarrassing and juvenile. The rest of the world is even wondering what is going on here. CNN asked journalists from around the world what they thought of the presidential race, and what their countries are hoping for in our next president. Canadian journalist Jonathan Kay says, “Many Canadians now observe America’s political spectacle with sense of smugness. The unhinged rhetorical fusillades and open conspiracism of  Ted Cruz and Donald Trump, in particular, have become a form of ironic reality show entertainment. “I would build a great wall” and all the rest are laugh lines in the Canadian media.” Ferial Haffajee from South Africa reports, “Indeed the word “incredulous” best describes the response here to Trump’s howl-a-minute, holler-a-minute, horror-a-minute bid to become the Republican nominee.” And these countries are our allies who look to us for leadership.

What our politicians say, and how they say it, is a reflection on all of us. We should want them to address us with respect. They should inspire us to follow them, or we should challenge them with an opposing point of view. Words are powerful tools. They can be used to enlighten, or cast the shadow of  hate and intolerance. How we address issues and each other in the public arena defines us as a society. This election year should make us all sit back for a moment and think about who we want to follow into the future. Votes have consequences. Successful leaders, both good and bad, have mastered the use of rhetoric. Just listen to the eloquence and decide if that’s what you want to hear.