Left or Right, Conservative, Libertarian, Progressive, or Liberal, I challenge you to honestly disagree with the sentiments expressed in this speech and the follow-on question and answer session by House Speaker Paul Ryan.
Comity is defined as:
Com·i·ty [ˈkämədē] NOUN
- Courtesy and considerate behavior toward others.
- An association of nations for their mutual benefit.
With all the hoopla, rancor, fear-mongering, and winner-take-all declarations this election season, Ryan’s candor and humility are refreshing.
Some key quotes culled by WSJ’s Kristina Peterson from House Speaker Paul Ryan’s presentation are:
“We think of [politics] in terms of this vote or that election. But it can be so much more than that. Politics can be a battle of ideas, not insults.”
“If someone has a bad idea, we don’t think they’re a bad person. We just think they have a bad idea.”
“Our political discourse—both the kind we see on TV and the kind we experience among each other—did not used to be this bad and it does not have to be this way.”
Please listen to the 36-minute video.
Mandated Memoranda 