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We try to protect young people from pornographic images. But we think nothing of subjecting them to a torrid storm of name calling, belittling of people and comments made without thinking.
In the last few years our world has changed. The Internet has become central to our lives, and social media has become a major part of how we communicate and gain information.
We have become easily influenced. We no longer take the time to think through what is right and what is wrong, what is truthful and what is outrageous. We are prone to share on social media whatever fancy new gossip crosses our screen.
Since this last election, I have met with people who are concerned that if the Epstein investigation produces indictments, leading to Presidential impeachment proceedings, that this might lead to civil war in this country. They are seriously concerned that they might lose their jobs during the chaos and would not be able to provide for their children.
This is surreal. After all, this is our America. Fear mongering has no place in our discourse with one another and goes against everything that is good about our country.
When I mentioned this civil war thing to some of my friends, they agreed with me. This is crazy. My friends could not understand where such idiocies came. Who would spread rumors about a civil war?
And, yet, I know that some of these very same friends themselves spread falsehoods by sharing awful rumors on Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter/X and more.
Let’s think about young people, a few of whom I have been fortunate enough to offer a helping hand. The young people who I know have been taken back by the meanness and disdain being demonstrated verbally, on television, online and in social media. The image of people screaming invectives at minorities, Hispanics and others is disconcerting, particularly to those who are the subject of this verbal abuse.
Young people see and read. They are impressionable and easily influenced. And, they are frightened. They do not understand. They ask what will become of our country and what will become of them.
What should we say to them?
What words of encouragement can any of us offer when such hateful insanity oozes from phone screens, televisions and internet connected computers?
There was a time when I was growing up when we respected those who were willing to devote themselves to a life of public service. We recognized that holding office was an honorable thing to do. People were held in high esteem for their decision to put their private sector careers on hold while they devoted years to government service. And then every few years they subjected themselves to the whims of voters to determine whether they deserved to be reelected.
Has the government changed since then? Have the people we elect to office changed? Has the whole of our governing system degenerated into an untrustworthy mess?
Has the way to fix our perceptions of government become nothing more than an argument laced with mutual disrespect? And doesn’t that lead to verbal abuse of anyone willing to represent us at the local, state or national level?
The reality is that it is not the government that has changed for the worse. Nor is it our elected officials. What has changed is us. We are suffering from a lack of reasonable restraint coupled with a compulsion to say whatever feels good in the moment without regard for repercussions or for others.
In politics as it is in day-to-day life, it is not OK to lie. It is not OK to spread false rumors. It is not OK to paint others negatively. It is not OK to intimidate others. And it is not OK to paint groups of people for the alleged actions of a few.
Whether in the normal discourse of daily life or in pursuing what we believe to be the right direction for our country, it is not OK to make up stories to spread as facts, to exaggerate half-truths or to encourage others to do so.
Politics, like our government, is about bringing people together, not tearing them apart.
We must not cheer the gospel of mistrust. We must protect one another from the tyranny of deceit. Together we might strive to be one nation, indivisible, under God, with liberty and justice for all.
Bill Gindlesperger is a central Pennsylvanian, Dickinson College graduate, Pennsylvania System Of Higher Education (PASSHE) Governor, former Shippensburg University Trustee, awarded numerous patents, as well as Founder and Chairman of eLynxx Solutions. eLynxx provides cloud-software for automated sourcing and managing of mail marketing, swag, packaging, and all things print. He is a board member, campaign advisor, successful entrepreneur, published author and commentator. He can be reached at Bill.Gindlesperger@eLynxx.com
