Don't be a jerk!

Kristina Cook writes,

What is political correctness? Have you ever really thought about the social processes and motivations at play? We on the right tend to think that PC only exists on the left – we are somehow exempt from it. But that is patently untrue.

PC is, at its base, a desire for groupthink. For everyone to think like you, react like you, have the same level of outrage as you have. It is an immature, narcissistic view of the world that demands conformity to your own worldview. There are some on the right who have this same toddler-like demand for conformity, and exhibit the same temper tantrums we see from the left when that conformity is violated. (And note – the telling characteristic is most definitely NOT whether or not the person supports Trump. Both camps show this same behavior.)

The social processes of PC are the same on the right and the left – shaming, insults, threats, bullying. When those engaging in this behavior feel threatened that their position is not shared, they determine (and loudly shout) that the person not sharing their views is unprincipled, has no integrity, is unintelligent, etc.

Over the last few days, I’ve been subjected to some of this. Yes, it makes me angry. I have spent a large part of my life over the last several years demonstrating my devotion to the principles of liberty and to saving our beloved Republic. But because I failed to exhibit the requisite amount of outrage over a comment from our President (in large part because I’ve been focused on real-world solutions for Colorado instead of scouring the news for reasons to criticize him), my integrity and my principles have been called into question. Yeah, that kinda pisses me off.

In my world, political correctness – an insistence on groupthink – is unacceptable. We are all going to have slightly different views, and different areas of focus. I believe that is not only acceptable, but desirable. No one person has all the answers, and that diversity of opinion can be beneficial when engaged in a respectful and open manner. Anyone who threatens that diversity of opinion through the use of shaming and insults, through threats and bullying, through an insistence on groupthink and the right’s version of political correctness, will be excised. I hope that is clear.

Short version: Don’t be a jerk.