Opinion: A path toward civility in politics

Dusty Johnson, a Republican, represents South Dakota in the U.S. House of Representatives. This piece first appeared in the Sioux Falls Argus Leader.

A while back, I was welcoming home a National Guard unit that had been overseas. After the ceremony, a sergeant who had been deployed three times, including twice to an active combat zone, thanked me for my service, saying he couldn’t imagine a post so difficult.

I was speechless. When those who have risked their lives in the defense of our country think that political engagement is the tougher duty, we know our politics are too jagged, too mean, too combative.

The tragic events that unfolded at former president Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania illuminated the anger that poisons our national political climate. We’ve all felt the tension increasing over the past several years, and we know the hateful rhetoric has risen well above its boiling point.

Too often, we view people with differing opinions as enemies, rather than fellow Americans. Our country is not well-served by this. Anger is a powerful short-term motivator, but it is not a foundation for successful marriages, churches, businesses, communities or careers.

We need thoughtful discourse among engaged citizens, not emotional attacks from enraged partisans. For those willing to rise to the occasion, here are six pathways to civility:

1. Give others the benefit of the doubt: Relationships fail when couples stop seeing the best in each other. If our country is to stay together a while longer, for the sake of our kids, we can’t assume that people on the other side of the aisle are always motivated by racism, fascism, communism or some other evil-ism. Assume, instead, that they view an issue differently than you do.

2. Subscribe to reputable news sources: Facebook is not a reputable news source; it’s home to adorable puppy photos, cute dance videos and wildly unreliable news reports posted by your uncle Trent. All too often, free news, especially the kind shared on Facebook, fuels our fear, anger and outrage. Instead, find two professional news sources, pay for their content and consume it regularly. If a source tells you only what you already believe, you are paying for propaganda, not news.

3. Reject whataboutism: Rather than engaging on the merits of an issue, an online commenter will say “what about this” and point to a past mistake made by the other side — in an attempt to discredit its view. This diverts the discussion from the issue at hand. We should evaluate the merits of an argument, not the imperfections of its messenger. No one is perfect, so all good ideas come from flawed people.

4. Criticize actions and ideas, not people: Insults abound in political discourse, but you’ll be a better citizen if you avoid using them. We should have robust and spirited debates. It is possible to attack weak ideas and improper actions without labeling someone evil, crooked or a traitor.

5. Amplify constructive views: Facebook and X can steam with fury. Support commenters who try to be constructive by using logic rather than bile. It can be as simple as giving their remarks a thumbs up. It’s more fun to repost an angry hot take, but it’s better for our nation to share something productive. Politics must be about addition and multiplication, not subtraction and division.

6. Illegitimi non carborundum — “Don’t let the bastards grind you down”: Even when overwhelmed by negativity, don’t give up. Politics is not a spectator sport. If the respectful citizens allow negativity to drive them out, the trolls win.

Tragedies like the assassination attempt on Trump can be a catalyst to bring us together. I’m ready to do my part. I can’t change things overnight, but I hope my actions move the needle in the right direction, and that yours will, too.