No independence from intolerance

Independence Day is the time for cookouts, parties and things that go bang.

But this year, something was exploding a lot more than Wednesday night fireworks. It is unprecedented intolerance in America.

It would be easy to say that such intolerance, akin to modern-day witch hunts, is just a trend. But it’s not. A trend is when something becomes “hot” for a short period, after which it fades away. Unfortunately, the new American intolerance is becoming so cast in stone – thanks in large part to loudmouths on social media and gutless leaders who kowtow to them – that they will soon become as “Americana” as apple pie.

To be clear, both sides of our hyper-partisan society are guilty of intolerance. Many on the right ceaselessly badgered President Obama on ridiculous things, from the birth certificate “issue,” to his not saying “radical Muslim fundamentalism” in every other sentence, to the president “hating” America. Even when he did do something “right,” such as calling for offshore oil drilling, many Republicans still pummeled him.

That constant criticism was a form of intolerance because, by its nature, it sealed off any possibility of bipartisan solutions. Simply because Mr. Obama was a Democrat, many Republicans, including some in Congress, adamantly refused to work with him on areas of common ground. Great for fundraising from the red meat crowd, but bad for the country.

However, without any doubt, the left has shown an unparalleled intolerance, especially after the election of Donald Trump.

The fact that many Democrats, from congressmen to Hollywood celebrities, are still calling Mr. Trump an “illegitimate” president – a year and a half after an election he indisputably won fair and square – speaks volumes. And the calls for abolishing the Electoral College – replete with constant boycotts and protests, despite many having no idea what they are actually protesting – shows an intolerance for our very system of government.

So the Electoral College, which has served the nation so well because it protects the voting power of smaller states, should now be scrapped because a single election didn’t go their way? They despise Mr. Trump. Fine. That’s their right. But the answer isn’t to change our democratic processes and constantly call for impeachment.

The right may have given Mr. Obama a rough ride, but they never whined like the left and acted so entitled.

In doubling down on her intolerance, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, D-Calif., encouraged people to harass Trump administration officials everywhere. Mind you, she didn’t tell people to civilly advocate viewpoints, nor stick to political issues. Nope. The congresswoman stepped way over the line by telling supporters: “If you see anybody from that Cabinet in a restaurant, in a department store, at a gasoline station, you get out and you create a crowd. And you push back on them. And you tell them they’re not welcome anymore, anywhere.” She added, “We’ve got to push back. This man does not have any good values. I believe we cannot wait until the next presidential election. We have to resist him. I want to see him impeached.”

Sounds great, Maxine. After all, your “values” of intolerance, hatred, ignorance and yes, inciting possible violence, are just what America needs.

Waters may be irrelevant in Congress, but her words are followed by some extremists, and that makes for a dangerous situation.

Intolerance certainly is not limited to politics.

The #MeToo movement has rightfully knocked sexual harassers off their pedestals. But the pendulum has swung too far, as people are now getting fired – their names forever tarnished, and livelihoods destroyed – all on the unsubstantiated claims of the “offended” class, with some “violations” simply being how someone looked at another.

And now that intolerant mentality has entered the corporate world with gusto. Netflix has just issued rules that discourage flirting, hugs, asking co-workers for their personal numbers, and, worst of all, not looking at another person for more than five seconds.

Fantastic. So everything that we’ve taught our children – firm handshake, communicate clearly and look a person in the eye – is now completely out the window, relegated to the dustbin of American civility.

Things will likely get worse before they get better. So in the time before the powder keg blows, we hope you enjoyed Independence Day – before that too goes up in flames.