So Much For Civil Political Discourse

On January 12, 2011, President Obama spoke to a crowd of 14,000 in Tucson, AZ and millions more on TV and cable. The occasion was a memorial service for the victims of the shooting that left Rep. Gabrielle Giffords gravely wounded and six others dead. During that speech, President Obama addressed the state of political discourse.

The loss of these wonderful people should make every one of us strive to be better in our private lives – to be better friends and neighbors, co-workers and parents,” Mr. Obama said. “And if, as has been discussed in recent days, their deaths help usher in more civility in our public discourse, let’s remember that it is not because a simple lack of civility caused this tragedy, but rather because only a more civil and honest public discourse can help us face up to our challenges as a nation, in a way that would make them proud.

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In the days and weeks following the shooting, the President was joined by chorus of voices from the left decrying the lack of civil discourse in America. These voices were quick to lay the blame at the feet of Republicans, the Tea Party movement, FOX news and conservative talk radio.

Jump forward to September 5, 2011. The scene: a political rally for President Obama. The crowd is mostly union. The speaker is Teamsters President Jimmy Hoffa.

We got to keep an eye on the battle that we face: The war on workers. And you see it everywhere, it is the Tea Party. And you know, there is only one way to beat and win that war. The one thing about working people is we like a good fight. And you know what? They've got a war, they got a war with us and there's only going to be one winner. It's going to be the workers of Michigan, and America. We're going to win that war," Jimmy Hoffa Jr. said to a heavily union crowd.

"President Obama, this is your army. We are ready to march. Let's take these son of bitches out and give America back to an America where we belong," Hoffa added.

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Mr. President, please help us all understand how you can criticize one side of the political divide but not the other? Explain how overheated rhetoric from conservatives is wrong but acceptable when it comes from the progressives?

You were elected to be the President of all Americans and not just your voter base. It is long past time for you to start being a real leader and not just another vote hungry politician.