For good of the nation, vote for political civility

A while back I wrote a piece about my teenaged son’s fabulous experience at the University of Virginia’s Sorensen Institute. 

Sorensen is dedicated to bringing civility back to the political sphere, encouraging mature dialogue and understanding by putting people from opposing ends of the political spectrum together in an environment in which they can find commonality.

Sorensen has become fertile ground for growing a new generation of leaders committed to ethics, leadership and bipartisanship, all honorable concepts and something sorely lacking in today’s public arena.

I come from a political background, having spent a few years working for a U.S. senator on Capitol Hill back in the ’80s

Growing up in Pittsburgh, my political benchmark was set by then-Sen. John Heinz, who was not only a concensus-building, middle-of-the-road politician but also a progressive leader, a man committed to the betterment of society and interested in helping out those less fortunate than he. He was a philanthropist, had a respected intellect, and strived to improve the lives of all citizens, not just those who supported him politically.

All of those were characteristics our leaders usually strived for back then. And certainly qualities the voting public placed in high regard.

Sadly, that has to be written in the past tense.

There was a time I couldn’t digest enough political fodder. But then the 24/7 “news” media came into being, a hungry beast desperate to generate information in order to fill time and garner ratings. Truth and civility were tossed out the door in order to boost audience numbers. Perfect timing, as the tone of politics already had turned ugly and vitriolic, and our leaders from the top on down to the local level became bent on divisive politics aimed at precluding a common ground.

I knew we hit a low point when a U.S. senator baited our president, a political opponent, telling him not to come to his state because they “pack heat” down there. If our leaders can’t even act in a mature, responsible manner, then how on earth do we expect everyone else to follow suit?

Disgusted with viewing the entrails of a political world gutted and left to bleed in the streets, I gave up paying much attention.

Which is why the Sorensen Institute approach appeals to me. What a novel idea to try to teach people to play nice. After all, we do it in kindergarten. Why not with grown-ups, too?

My son — who came of age amidst this era of ugly political one-upmanship — took this ethic from his time at Sorensen and has spent a good bit of time working on campaigns since then. He has studied the candidates and chosen, not based upon political allegiances so much as their character.

We should all be so lucky if this new generation of voting Americans, those who are coming of age in our country right now, learn this lesson and take to heart that electing public officials has nothing to do with a popularity contest, or voting for the person who can smack down their opponent the best, but has everything to do with choosing a candidate who has the best interest of the country as a whole in mind.

It shouldn’t be about dragging us down, it should be about raising up us and expecting high standards from us, just as we ought to expect high standards from our political leaders.

Yeah, politics has left a bitter taste in my mouth. But I’ve been watching, and I see a groundswell of candidates beginning to surface who are trying to reclaim civility and instill a modicum of respect in the political process. And I feel encouraged.

Now it’s up to us, as voters, to set aside our petty differences, stop buying into the ugly discourse, and instead pay attention to what our candidates are saying and support those who speak to dignity and respect. Our political leaders owe that to us, and we owe it to those who are willing to take a chance on that by supporting them.

Thomas Jefferson once wrote, “Come forward then and give us the aid of your talents and the weight of your character towards the new establishment of democracy.”

Sage advice from a founding father whose reputation was vested in the success of the fledgling democracy. Alas, over the years, too many politicians have taken to view their elected positions as entitlements rather than the privileged responsibilities in which the public has entrusted them. In these days in which the very foundation of our democracy has been undermined from all sides, we need leaders who will take the moral high ground.

We need leaders who are interested in putting aside petty differences to achieve what’s necessary. To actually bring people together and lead us, not divide us.

When you vote this November — and I do hope you take advantage of your privilege as an American to vote — please consider voting for the candidate who is taking the high road, for the candidate who wants to unite people, not drag them down into the dregs of contention.

Elections shouldn’t mean voting for the person with whom we’d most like to hunt or have a couple of beers. Elections should be about picking candidates who are intelligent, willing to compromise and able to rally support from all ends of the political spectrum.

Because at the end of the day, it can’t be about us versus them. We’re all us. And any politician who tells you otherwise doesn’t have your best interest at heart.

Jenny Gardiner is a writer who lives in Albemarle County. She is author of the recent novel “Sleeping with Ward Cleaver.”