The politics of division

Sue Lani Madsen’s Dec. 1, 2018, column about healing our political divide has welcome words and accurately cites the 1994 midterm elections for comparable political tensions.

However, Madsen leaves the impression that our politics have always been this divisive. Not so. Today’s deep wound in our political discourse was first cut open by the head cheerleaders for attack-oriented politics: Newt Gingrich and Rush Limbaugh. They specialized in demonization. More than anyone else, these two began severing the connective tissue across our political divisions and created the culture of political tribalism. They rejected the culture of mutual respect that transcended policy disagreement. And they blew off admirable norms of comity built by the “greatest generation” in the wake of World War II — personified by people like George H.W. Bush, John McCain, and Spokane’s own Tom Foley. Gingrich and Limbaugh also paved the way for the wrecking-ball politics of our current president.

Like Madsen, let’s hope we’re seeing signs that people have had their fill of this toxicity and are approaching things more broadmindedly. Another hopeful indicator might be Georgia’s 6th Congressional District, which just elected its first Democrat in 40 years after previously sending us Newt Gingrich and Tom Price, each of whom resigned under black clouds of ethics violations.

Let’s hope for more clearing of the clouds — especially around the White House — and for fairer, more respectful weather for our politics.

Steve McNutt

Spokane