Summary
This document provides news and video footage relating to the political climate in the United States. These examples are based on a democratic system that is properly fueled and supported by what are known as the columns of democracy.
Eroded Social Infrastructure
An eroded social infrastructure happens when Democracy is under attack, and such conditions produce mutations such as social unrest and incompetence, as we’ve seen over the past 10 years. These are not typical for a properly fertilized democracy.
Civility and Respect
The purpose of democracy is to collectively take on societal challenges with crowd-sourced experience, wisdom, and insights. In this way, we have a broad portfolio of ideas to consider and implement. We can draw upon the skills and experience of many citizens. We can envision solutions for optimal prosperity and wellbeing for all people in our society.
Civility and respect are essential for a healthy democracy. We should not think of democracy as a gladiator competition. We should think of democracy as various individuals and groups who can bring talents to the table that help us come up with great solutions for a better society.
In the news and videos below we see examples of civility and respect in political dialog.
Examples
Below are news and video clips that provide context and history of what a healthy democracy looks like. This trajectory of respectful dialog is expected to return at some point in the future.
BBC News (6 Jul 2024)
“UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer says ‘tough decisions’ to come, in first news conference” — Keir Starmer has said that he is going to have to make tough decisions and “make them early” in his first news conference as UK prime minister. [Source]
In the speech, Starmer states he will place country above party, and that there is no monopoly on good ideas so he will reach out to work with all constituents regardless of their party affiliation. He said, “This will be a politics and a government that is about delivery, is about service. Self-interest is yesterday’s politics.”
Note that the audio drops out at about 6m 44s for about 10 seconds.
NBC News (28 Jun 2024)
“Governors for Utah and Colorado discuss finding better ways to disagree” — While Americans feel more polarized than ever, politically, two governors from opposite sides of the aisle have made it their mission to show otherwise. Gov. Spencer Cox, R-Utah, and Gov. Jared Polis, D-Colo., join NBC News’ Liz Kreutz in conversation. NBCUniversal News Group is the media partner of Aspen Ideas Festival. [Source]
MSNBC (24 Aug 2023)
“Gov. Spencer Cox: ‘We’re tired of the toxic partisanship that’s infected our country'” — Utah Governor Spencer Cox champions the ‘disagree better’ initiative to combat toxic partisanship plaguing the nation. Gov. Cox joins Morning Joe to emphasize the need to shift the political discourse towards respectful disagreement and attacking ideas rather than individuals. The conversation touches on his response to the trans athletes issue, where he chose compassion over discord, illustrating his belief in the importance of unity and care for fellow citizens, especially when opinions differ. [Source]
NGA (14 Jul 2023)
“Disagree Better: Saving Your Family Dinner” — The Disagree Better initiative is a program of the National Governors Association. [Source]
NBC (12 Feb 2023)
“Full governors joint interview: ‘We don’t know how to disagree anymore’” — During an exclusive joint interview with Meet the Press, Govs. Spencer Cox (R-Utah) and Phil Murphy (D-N.J.) discuss partisan divides, state bans on trans rights and the 2024 campaign. [Source]
Spencer Cox (20 Oct 2020)
“One Nation” — This is a political ad that made national news at a time when there were contentious attacks between opposing politicians. [Source]
Bill Lee (29 Oct 2018)
“Great” — Well this race is almost over and you’ve got a pretty clear choice. My opponent is a good man. A public servant. My background’s a little different. I’m an outsider, a farmer, a businessman, chairman of a company with 1,200 employees. Tennessee is a wonderful place, but we’ve got some big challenges, and the next four years, we need a governor who can lead us from good to great. If you agree, I’d sure appreciate your vote. [Source]
WXIA-TV NBC Atlanta (1 Sep 2018)
“President Barack Obama speaks at John McCain’s funeral” — President Barack Obama delivered remarks at John McCain’s funeral in Washington, D.C. on September 1, 2018. [Source]
ABC (23 Oct 2012)
“Final Presidential Debate 2012 Complete – Mitt Romney, Barack Obama on Foreign Policy” — The Candidates Debate: President Obama and Mitt Romney face off in the final presidential debate, live from Boca Raton, Florida. [Source]
PBS (16 Oct 2012)
“Obama vs. Romney: The second 2012 presidential debate” — The 2012 presidential election cycle featured incumbent President Barack Obama, a Democrat, and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, the Republican nominee. The second debate was a 90-minute town hall, where uncommitted voters could ask questions on any topic, followed by a discussion led by the moderator. Moderated by Candy Crowley of CNN, it took place on October 16, 2012, in Hempstead, New York. [Source]
ABC News (4 Oct 2012)
“Obama vs. Romney: The First Debate” — Inside the first face-off between Republican nominee Mitt Romney and President Obama. [Source]
PBS (15 Oct 2008)
“McCain vs. Obama: The third 2008 presidential debate” — The 2008 presidential election cycle featured Sen. John McCain of Arizona, the Republican nominee, and Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, the Democratic nominee. The third debate featured a 90- minute discussion on the economy and domestic policy. Moderated by Tom Brokaw of NBC, it took place on October 15, 2008, in Hempstead, New York. [Source]
Associated Press (11 Oct 2008)
“McCain Counters Obama ‘Arab’ Question” — While on the campaign trail Friday, Republican presidential nominee John McCain countered views by some in his audience who expressed fear of an Obama presidency, and a notion that the Illinois senator was an Arab. [Source]
PBS (7 Oct 2008)
“McCain vs. Obama: The second 2008 presidential debate” — The 2008 presidential election cycle featured Sen. John McCain of Arizona, the Republican nominee, and Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, the Democratic nominee. The second debate was a 90-minute town hall, where uncommitted voters could ask questions on any topic, followed by an open discussion. Moderated by Tom Brokaw of NBC, it took place on October 7, 2008, in Belmont, Tennessee. [Source]
PBS (26 Sep 2008)
“McCain vs. Obama: The first 2008 presidential debate” — The 2008 presidential election cycle featured Sen. John McCain of Arizona, the Republican nominee, and Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, the Democratic nominee. The first debate was a 90-minute discussion focused on foreign policy, with questions posed by the moderator, followed by discussion between the candidates. Moderated by Jim Lehrer of PBS, it took place on September 26, 2008, in Oxford, Mississippi. [Source]