Why should we have to be nice to elected officials?

Have we transformed into so brittle a citizenry that we are unable to handle a raucous debate over the future of the country? If things were quiet, subdued and “civil” in America today, as Pelosi surely wishes, it would only be proof that democracy wasn’t working.

It’s no accident, either, that those in power are generally the ones choking up about the lack of decorum. The truth is, we could use far less bogus civility in Washington…

This new focus on civility is meant to cloud another issue. Let’s not confuse personal civility with political civility. A “civil” citizenry can mean a pliable citizenry, waiting — sometimes forever — to speak their minds.

We have no duty to say “please” and “thank you” to elected officials. Not yet.