Town hall brawling

 

You've seen the images -- people angrily, rudely, and persistently yelling at Congressmen and Senators at local town hall meetings across our country.  Why the hostility?  Has the rude and hostile nature of many Internet comments, forums, and chat rooms found its way into public political forums?  

Is hostility helpful?  Doesn't yelling in someone's face shut down communication?  Doesn't that act make the person doing the yelling appear mean spirited and aggressive?

Hostile yelling is a first step toward violence.  Next comes pushing and shoving.  That often leads to punching and fighting.  Will all this yelling lead to brawls and riots?  It is quite possible. 

So why do people get mean, aggressive, and hostile with others, whether on the Internet or in town hall meetings?  I think that the root of the problem is that so many of us feel insecure and fearful.  We struggle with self-esteem.  However, when a person genuinely feels good about herself and feels loved and secure, she feels little need to be rude or hostile.

Paul of Tarsus wrote that we should be "speaking the truth in love."  We should be honest in expressing our opinions (political or otherwise) but should also be kind.  We can freely express disagreement and/or disapproval witout insulting people or being hateful.   

Regardless of our opinion on the government's role in medicine (or any other issue), why don't we discuss and debate without degrading those who disagree with us?  Let's try a little more kindness and a lot less rudeness?  How about it?