WHERE HAS OUR CIVILITY GONE ?..........

The passage of the landmark Health Care Reform bill last week by Congress, enacted into law by the President on Tuesday, and the vociferous response opponents of the legislation continue to make, is a sad chapter in American political history. Not that those who oppose it are steadfast in their opposition, but the lengths to which many are willing to take their protests, up to and including the threatening of violent acts against supporters of the cause. Representative Bart Stupak of Michigan, a staunch pro-life, anti-abortion Democrat, who twice in recent months has effectively advocated for the exclusion of abortion coverage in the new health reform bill, successfully offering an amendment to the House bill, and negotiating an agreement for a Presidential Executive Order to ensure the Administration enforces long standinng restrictions placed on the use of federal funds for abortion, following which he and other pro-life Democrats then voted in favor of the bill, is being openly attacked. As Rep. Stupak was speaking of his decision to vote for the health reform bill on the House floor, another Congressman shouted out at him, "baby killer". Not only are critical messages being received in supporting Congress members offices, but also venonmous, life threatening, statements. This degree of overheated, zealousness is a breach of the civility that should be maintained, to assure peaceful political disagreement that does not encourage or promote violence, as an acceptable response. American democracy has long been defined civilly, as being able to contest, oppose, or disagree, over the issues and answers before us, but leaving politics at the water's edge. Respect for life is not limited to our political preferences. Threats and violence are out of place and a wrong headed response in a democratic republic like ours, where we can vote in and out of office those who represent us in government and where majority rule prevails. Condoning or carrying out untoward acts of uncontrolled zealousness, threatening violence, or rabid vengeance, will only diminish the United States of America, these same citizens proclaim allegiance to. God Bless and renew our unity in these politically and economically turbulent times..........May Civility And The Common Good Guide Our Efforts And Responses In This And All Matters Of National Interest, Fr. Troy