In times like these, when the country is grappling with so much division, it often feels like looking for civility in politics is like trying to find a unicorn in your backyard. Yet, miraculously, two senators from Pennsylvania, Dave McCormick and John Fetterman, seem committed to taking on this seemingly mythical quest. This unusual duo, representing a state split down the middle between Democrats and Republicans, appears to be giving bipartisanship a shot—a rarity akin to spotting Bigfoot.
The nation was recently horrified by the assassination of Charlie Kirk, an event indicative of the perilous path of political violence the country stands on. It’s a genuinely heartbreaking situation, one everyone, regardless of political affiliation, has been affected by. The senators argue rightly that political violence, whether it comes from the left or the right, should have no place in America. The irony that free speech is seen as a dangerous frontier is not lost on them, considering it’s for this very right that many wars have been fought. Let’s hope this shared moment of outrage doesn’t dissolve faster than ice cream in July.
Senator Fetterman wisely points out the dangerous impact of language that invokes images of the darkest periods in history – like when people start tossing around comparisons to Adolf Hitler as if they were talking about a bad referee call at a football game. Such rhetoric doesn’t just cheapen the historical events but can incite violence. When folks are getting labeled with terms meant for individuals who orchestrated genocide, it somehow flips a switch in some, making them believe they’re on a noble crusade to eliminate evil. This isn’t a Marvel movie, though; it’s supposed to be real life.
The conversation between these two unlikely partners tries to steer the narrative away from divisiveness. They are exemplifying something that many in today’s political sphere conveniently forget: it is entirely possible to fundamentally disagree with someone on policy issues while still recognizing them as a decent human being. With all the vitriol spewed across social media – a place often compared to a sewer – it’s a wonder any constructive discourse can happen at all. People may need reminding that governance isn’t supposed to be a battle royale.
There’s a glimmer of hope, albeit one shadowed by skepticism, that common ground can be found if more elected officials follow suit. They’re like modern-day Don Quixotes tilting at the windmills of hostility. So, while this might not solve all the world’s problems, starting with a sensible dialogue about political violence and the radical rhetoric fueling it certainly can’t hurt. With such rare displays of unity, maybe it’s time for more to lace up their boots and join in the pursuit of being good neighbors rather than adversaries. As quaint and whimsical as it sounds, wouldn’t it be something if politicians spent as much time disagreeing in a civil manner as they do finding new ways to lock horns? We could use more examples like Senators McCormick and Fetterman to remind us that sometimes reaching across the aisle isn’t just an empty gesture. Maybe, just maybe, it could be the first step toward that elusive ideal of a more united nation.
