Summary: <p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the US, our body politic is suffering from a sickness. Political polarization has become so extreme it has spawned violence against and by politicians. </span></p><br> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A new syndrome, "post-election stress disorder", is recognized by psychologists. </span></p><br> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Instead of trying to lower the temperature, the media, politicians, and political action committees (PACs) stoke the angry passion of extremism.</span></p><br> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Social media has contributed to this culture of outrage. </span></p><br> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is polluted by the rantings of bigots, trolls, and terrorists. Fear-mongering politicians use it to widen social, economic, and ideological divisions. </span></p><br> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Social media could be a medium for civil discussions about political issues, but the temptation to respond impulsively and angrily has made politics even more toxic. </span></p><br> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's just easier to rant and vent or hide out in like-minded silos.</span></p><br> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is there any possibility of a cure for the sickness of our body politic?</span></p><br> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Facebook is the largest forum in the history of humankind for free and open communication among citizens. </span></p><br> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As is demonstrated in Jeff Rasley's latest book "regular folks" can use their social networks for civil discussion and debate, and then for positive political action. </span></p><br> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whatever our political leaning, we need not imitate President Trump by tweeting insults and ridicule at political opponents. </span></p><br> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who do we want to be as a nation?</span></p><br> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The Case for Civility" exposes the causes and effects of hyper-partisanship. </span></p><br> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It offers a "modest proposal" to treat the symptoms of toxic polarization at the grassroots level. </span></p><br> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An experiment Rasley conducted in Facebook based on the values of civility, tolerance, pragmatism, and moderation proves we can cure what ails us.</span></p><br> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jeff Rasley is the author of 9 other books, including "Godless - Living a Valuable Life beyond Beliefs" and "Bringing Progress to Paradise", a memoir about adventure and philanthropy in the Nepal Himalayas.</span></p>
