Lack of Common Sense lead to a Lack of Civility

Hi Everyone:

Something occurred this past Wednesday, 9/8 that has never ever happened before in this country. What I am talking about is what Rep. Joe Wilson said during President Obama's speech to both houses of Congress.

As a side note, from 1800 to 1913, Presidents of the USA never addressed Congress. Since then when Presidents gave speeches to Congress, members of the opposite side of the aisle have occasionally booed or jeered as expressions of dissent on a specific point. Rep. Wilson has now taken it to a whole new level.

As we all know, Wednesday evening, President Obama gave a speech regarding his health plan initiative. I will not, as I said in my first blog, get political in my blog. I will try to stay apolitical. This blog is not about whether you are for or against the Presidents health care ideas. Today's blog is about what Rep. Joe Wilson from South Carolina said during the President's speech. I believe that President Obama gave the speech to correct all the mistruths and inaccuracies about his health care changes. Please see my 8/16 blog. At the point in his speech when he told Congress and the American public that illegal immigrants would not be eligible to receive a health care plan (as part of the uninsured); Rep Wilson took it upon himself to yell at President Obama, "You Lie". You could see the entire room look in the Representative's area with bewilderment and silence. Never before has any person verbally expressed one's opposition to a President's speech. I hope this is not the start of a new way to express one's self during any President's speech.

Prior to President Obama's speech, I firmly believed that the entire debate on health care has become less about facts and more about emotions. Boy I was surprised to hear Joe Scarborough on the evening news saying that exact same thing. Joe Scaborough added that what Rep. Wilson did shows that the Republican party lacks temperament. I am not in agreement with that statement because I do not believe that Rep. Wilson speaks for the entire party. He is though, a member of the GOP and his statement does not bode well for his party. Protocol and civility are both extremely important in both houses of Congress. There are proper channels to vent one's opposition.

To have an elected official call the President of the US a liar is not only a serious breech (accusations of lying are forbidden under House rules) per the Journal News, but also extremely rare in politics. It is okay to disagree, but do it with civility and debate the issue(s) with civility. It is obviously apparent that Rep. Wilson did not show any civility. But even if he didn't have any civility, if he at least had any common sense, he would have known not to have said what he said, when he said it.

I found it interesting though that Rep. Wilson did not issue an apology until forced by his own party to do so. I think he should apologize to the President on the floor. But I don't think that will ever happen, which itself is unfortunate.

As I do more and more posts, I really believe that politicians seem to be the largest group of people who need to learn about common sense and how easy it is to use.

Common sense rules.

Til next week.