Restoring Civility to Politics the Ted Cruz Way!

US News and World Report ^ | Susan Milligan | Sept. 12, 2014 | 4:30 p.m. EDT 

Ted Cruz is not the first name on everyone’s list when one thinks of restoring decorum to politics and public discourse. Yet Cruz, the famous GOP firebrand who is Texas’ junior senator, did just that in a recent speech to a group calling itself In Defense of Christians.

In his address, Cruz reiterated his strong support for Israel – hardly an outlier opinion for a member of Congress, particularly in the current political environment – and asserted, “Christians have no greater ally than Israel.” Again, this is not a provocative thing to say. It’s an opinion shared by many active Christians.
Cruz got booed. And unlike other politicians, who might have kowtowed to the bullying, Cruz did what any sensible adult should do. He walked off the stage.
According to a video obtained by the website The Daily Caller, Cruz said: "I will say this: I’m saddened to see that some here, not everyone, are so consumed with hate. … I will say this: If you will not stand with Israel and the Jews, then I will not stand with you. Thank you, and God bless you."
[SEE: Cartoons on Ted Cruz]
Now, Cruz is not exactly known on the Hill for being accommodating. He has opposed presidential nominations for no apparent substantive reason; he was, for example, one of three to vote against the nomination of colleague John Kerry to be Secretary of State. He held an all-night filibuster of a stopgap funding bill to display his opposition to the Affordable Care Act, imperiling government operations in the name of a mission that had no chance of succeeding. And he was one of a handful of members that Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., once labeled  “wacko birds.” 
But Cruz’s behavior with In Defense of Christians was exactly what we need right now in the poisonous political environment, one in which populism has gone wild. People once showed some deference and respect for their elected officials. Now, they have the idea that it’s perfectly acceptable to shout down members of Congress at town hall meetings and to interrupt them when they are speaking. The media has a role in this, giving more ink and air time to disruptive people. And the lawmakers and candidates themselves have enabled the cranks. Their websites now typically refer to themselves by their first name, instead of senator so-and-so or chairwoman so-and-so. This is meant to make them appear more accessible and “in touch” with the common man. But sympathizing with the common man should not mean condoning behavior the Brits call “common” – that is, disrespectful and childish.
[SEE: Cartoons about the Republican Party]
It’s time lawmakers and candidates stopped allowing themselves to be treated like misbehaving children, especially when it’s the constituents who are behaving like misbehaving children. If someone shouts over someone else at a town hall meeting or makes abusive comments, the answer should be the same one as that which would have been given at any school assembly when I was in junior high school: Compose yourself, and you can ask a question. If you cannot compose yourself, leave.
Former Rep. Barney Frank – hardly a shrinking violet – had no patience for the yellers and conspiracy theorists, once telling a woman at a town hall meeting that talking to her was like talking to a dining room table. Yes, it was a bit rude, but the Massachusetts Democrat was no ruder than she had been. And the only answer to rude audience members who boo a U.S. senator who has taken time out of his day to speak to them is exactly the one Cruz gave: Walk away.