Political Civility: Whos Lying?

Economic Noise

Tom Lester, friend of this site, provides another piece of his writing.

In this article, he deals with “civility” or at least the narrow form of the word as it is defined in politics. This use reminds me of my late-life entry into academia where I quickly learned about “collegiality.” Most people had numerous initials after their names and believed themselves both educated and brilliant. “Collegiality” was a code of conduct designed to allow them to continue to believe this nonsense. Blabbering idiots were able to co-exist with learned idiots as collegiality required that everyone’s opinion, no matter how bizarre and misguided, was to be treated equally and respectfully.

Here is Mr. Lester’s contribution on civility, a form of collegiality extended to politicians that condones boldl lies:

Who’s Lying?

It was September 9, 2009, as Obama addressed a joint session of Congress to outline his proposal for reforming health care. Obama had just completed saying, “There are also those who claim that our reform effort will insure illegal immigrants,” Obama said. “This, too, is false – the reforms I’m proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally.”

A voice, loud and clear, yelled out, “You lie!” The voice was that of the U.S. Representative for South Carolina’s 2nd congressional district, Joe Wilson. Main stream media and most Democrats, as well as some Republicans, excoriated Wilson for his outburst.

Wilson apologized for his comment. “This evening I let my emotions get the best of me when listening to the President’s remarks regarding the coverage of illegal immigrants in the health care bill. While I disagree with the President’s statement, my comments were inappropriate and regrettable. I extend sincere apologies to the President for this lack of civility.”

That wasn’t enough for House Democrats who called on Wilson to issue a formal apology on the House floor. Democrats argued they were defending the rules of the House and enforcing the traditional decorum of the chamber, while Republicans countered, asserting it a waste of time after Wilson had already apologized.

Wilson refused in a later televised interview saying, “I believe one apology is sufficient.” Most Congressional Republicans agreed, and opposed further action but on September 15, the House approved a “resolution of disapproval” against Wilson, a virtual slap on the wrist, along party-lines by a 240–179 vote. Interestingly, 12 Democrats voted no on the resolution, 7 Republicans voted yes and 5 Democrats voted “present.” Such a resolution is extremely rare but it is permanently entered into the Congressional Record.

Where is Joe Wilson today? First, a bit of history about Wilson unknown by few outside South Carolina. The seat he assumed in 2001 was won in a crowded five-way primary with 75% of the vote, and in the special election with 73% of the vote. He ran again in 2010 for the same seat and won by a comfortable 9 percentage points over his nearest challenger. He ran unopposed in the 2012 general election with 96% of the vote for the same seat he has held since 2001. Today Wilson is currently an Assistant Republican Whip in the House.

More importantly, has the outburst been proven factual today? Not yet specifically but connect the dots of the executive order “dream act” and the DOJ’s push for election voting with no legitimate identification and it’s not difficult to surmise that the ultimate plan is to allow illegals public assistance and Obamacare. And to suggest Obamacare is a “reform” takes an unconscious leap of imagination.

continue article at Economic Noise:

http://www.economicnoise.com/2013/09/26/political-civility/