Political Bullying Is Wrong. There, I said it.

Bullying’s long history in American politics doesn’t make it right. I just re-read the About page and remembered that this blog’s focus is on standing up to political bullying of progressive Americans. Because some posts refer to conservatives or radicals, I’m going to make clearer that Framology’s opponents are not conservatives or even radicals by revising these terms to bullies, political bullying, etc. in past posts. It will take a little while, and if I miss some, I’d appreciate it if you would point them out.

As stated in the About page, America has always had a range of political opinion, and that’s as it should be. I wouldn’t want Americans to all believe alike.

This is the bold vision of Framology: American politics as a bully-free zone.
Photo Credit: Eddie~S via Compfight cc

But bullying fellow Americans to advance political agendas is wrong. And the only way to end political bullying and create a more civil politics is to stand up to it without bullying in return. Framology’s role is to help progressive Americans find the words to confidently do this.

What is political bullying? Here’s the beginning of a list:

  • Name calling
  • Using deception intentionally to advance one’s goals
  • Using law, police or military power, intimidation, or other means to take away the basic human rights of others
  • Attributing evil motives to others without evidence
  • Slander
  • Perverting political or judicial processes to serve the narrow interests of a party, religion, socio-economic group, or other faction instead of the country we all love

What do you think of this list? What’s missing? Do you think some should be removed?

5 thoughts on “Political Bullying Is Wrong. There, I said it.”

  1. I appreciate this advice. I have been using “Radical Republicans” to refer to those who want to dismantle the New Deal and deny basic rights to many Americans. I saw this as simply returning their labeling (“Tax and Spend Liberals”). Doesn’t bullying refer more to tactics and behavior than to essence?

    1. Yes, bullying is behavior and tactics. I expect that Americans will have different ideas, and democracy is intended to help us manage these differences. It’s political bullying that I’m most concerned about. I want Framology to be nonpartisan.

      By “Radical Republican,” do you mean to specify that you’re talking about Republicans that hold radical views, or do you mean to imply that Republicans are radicals?

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