Civil discourse.

Editor,

Calls for civil discourse are absurd because there is no way that the right can engage in civil discourse. Its only alternative is to manipulate the politically ignorant by lying to them and inflaming them with fear and hatred.

Corporations have off-shored millions of jobs. There is a huge disparity in net worth between the top 5% of the American population and the rest of us. Millions of Americans are feeling economically insecure. And the right-wing echo chamber's breathless propaganda purports that Americans' "freedom" is under attack by precisely those politicians who would tax the rich fairly, regulate big business, and support working people.

Right-wing propaganda cannot but portray the United States as urgently and desperately in danger. Fearful dupes must be stirred up to "lock-'n'-load" and "take back their country" because there is no other way for the right to mobilize a movement to dismantle our government and destroy what remains of the American safety net.

It is not possible for the right to argue calmly, honestly, and dispassionately for corporate rule, plutocracy, and disempowerment of working people and the poor, which is what they stand for.

Re: "Bill Clinton Says Political Tone Must Change" (1/11/2011)