Civil debate

Like most people I was horrified by what happened in Tuscan Arizona. The fact that someone would feel so afraid for either themselves or for others that they would feel killing people was the only solution. It cannot be denied that with the rise of the tea party movement civility has all but left the political debate. Although I do not wish to place blame, I cannot forget that Sharon Angle said that if the election did not go your way that you should use "second amendment solutions". In our fervor to protect free speech I think that we forget just how powerful words are.
Words can change the way a person sees themselves, they can raise people up. They can also be the catalyst that drives an angry or unstable person to commit horrible acts of violence.
During the recent health care debate my husband was the victim of death threats from people who called themselves Christians. These same "God fearing" men posted slogans such as "they can have their change, I'll cling to my God and my guns" Statements like these are not "non violent" in nature, in fact they can have frightening costs.
So I have come up with a simple list of things not to do when you are discussing politics or campaigning for office.
1. Stay away from gun references, for example "re-load" "second amendment solutions" "take out" "target" exc.
2. Avoid using violent imagery such as riffle cross hairs
3. Avoid statements such as "someone should take out/kill so and so"
4. Make sure that your arguments are well thought out and include sound reasoning.
5. Never forget that people are involved, all government programs involve real human beings who use them. Do not make the mistake of thinking that this is not so.
6. Speak out, but be nice.
7. Just to reiterate STAY AWAY from gun and or hunting references, there are people in this world with more fire power than sense.
And finally Love one another, we may not agree but we are all family.