Regaining Decency in America?

“Have you no sense of decency, sir?” (Joseph N. Welch, Chief Counsel for U.S. Army, to Senator Joseph McCarthy on June 9, 1954

Speech that society might label as course, rude, and gross – bordering on outright bigotry, hate, and fear-mongering – has, over the past several years, become the norm for segments of our nation’s leadership. 

Reckless rants often sow seeds of venom that intensify divisions among our citizens and incite violence. They can embolden the unhinged and dupe the naive.

There have been other times in recent history that were beset with decency deficiency. Senator Joseph McCarthy used demagoguery weapons during senatorial hearings (1953-54) to ruin lives by wrongfully labeling government employees as being Communist agents. Prior to McCarthy, Fr. Charles Coughlin (1930s) and Senator Huey Long (late 1920s, early 1930s) were also misleading thousands of susceptible/gullible citizens.          

2023: the Return of Decency?

There are indications, however, that a majority of us, tired of baseless allegations and inflammatory rubbish, are ready to move on to a higher degree of civility, decency, and credibility. But it is uncertain that the nation’s leaders have gotten the message. 

Decency doesn’t mean that we have to be excellent. In baseball terms, when a player is described as “decent,” it usually means that he gets the job done but may not be an all-star. By far, the majority of players fit into this category and there is nothing wrong or demeaning about it. 

Likewise, the vast majority of people are decent human beings. 

Decent People

Another way of understanding “decent” is the way my parents might have been depicted by their townspeople. 

They were hard-working people who worked in jobs like most of their Braidwood friends and neighbors. Mom worked in a variety of jobs that paid the equivalent of a minimum wage at the Rossi Macaroni Factory, Rossi’s Motel, and as a self-employed seamstress. (The best in town.) And lest I forget, she was the town’s Joliet Herald-News distribution manager. Dad was a self-employed truck driver and heavy equipment operator wholly dependent on construction jobs. 

Regardless of their means of livelihood, they provided their three kids with food, clothing, shelter, and education. They also instilled in them a core set of values: integrity, compassion, and kindness. Not that we had no faults. But they helped us become – like the vast majority of Americans – decent human beings. Maybe not exceptional, excellent, top notch, or extraordinary. But possessing a modicum of decency.

Why the Lack of Leadership Decency?

One could make the case that political leadership can be rife with egoism, narcissism, and braggadocio. The more outrageous they might be, the more money they can generate via major campaign contributors who, by the way, will always demand fealty from their “vassals.”

I want to believe that the vast majority of public officials enter into politics, and conduct themselves, with the intent to make government an instrument for the good of the American people. And they stay true to their honorable mission. As with the people they represent, they are decent, hardworking public servants. Unfortunately, they get tarred with the same broad brush of ridicule, mistrust, and verbal abuse that can be ascribed to those who lack a sense of decency.

Other leadership might be described as “thought” leadership which depends on controversial hosts and topics. Whether on television or radio, these “tabloid” talk shows can be found on cable networks and disguised as news but primarily serve as entertainment media. Their survival depends on the number of viewers or listeners which drives advertising dollars. Their main concern is not integrity, honesty, or education.

Time for Renewal

It is only a matter of time before the general populace tires of false claims, lies, hate, and venom cluttering news and social media. Substance, truth, and kindness will prevail. Decency must return.

“When the norm is decency, other virtues can thrive: integrity, honesty, kindness, and trust.” 

Raja Krishnamoorthi