Remaining Civil Despite Deep Political Differences

History professor Ted Frantz, with the University of Indianapolis, says angry political discourse is not a new problem in the U.S.  A 2024 Gallup Poll illustrated frustrations with political leadership showing over 93% of Democrats and Republicans agree that inflammatory language is counterproductive.  Frantz says people need to approach such discussions with humility and compassion…

“Since our politics tend to be reduced to two parties, at times, you might be able to justify what happens in the heat of the moment because you believe in your cause. But the problem with that, of course, is if you extend the rules or suspended the rules at a time when you really need them enforced for something you do care about, then somebody else can employ the same logic.”