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Government

Time for a Discourse Correction in Politics

In the hit Broadway musical “Hamilton,” there is a cabinet meeting scene where civility goes out the window and a frustrated Alexander Hamilton resorts to salty personal attacks on other cabinet secretaries who oppose his financial plan for managing Revolutionary War debt.

President George Washington, realizing that Hamilton’s passionate vitriol is only hardening his adversaries’ opposition, pulls the Treasury Secretary aside and urges him to find a compromise to ensure the young nation’s survival, telling him: “Winning was easy … governing is harder.”

These days, as our nation’s most polarizing presidential campaign in modern times moves toward an exhausting conclusion on Nov. 5, I think of that song more often. No matter the outcome at the polls, going forward, we need to lower the temperature of political discourse and restore civility in our interaction with one another. Effective governing depends on it.

Civility does not mean abandoning our principles for the sake of phony politeness. However, it does require us to show those with whom we disagree respect, courtesy and consideration. It requires a willingness to listen to other perspectives and to ask ourselves whether the information we are consuming comes from unbiased news sources or self-selected social media algorithms that reinforce partisan identities and tell us only what we want to hear.

In 2025, New Jersey voters will be choosing a new governor (due to constitutional term limits, Gov. Phil Murphy cannot seek a third term) and it is my fervent hope that in our little corner of the US, we can restore some civility to the political process. Campaigns that demonize others, inflict cruelty anonymously from behind the safety of computer screens, or incite political violence against other candidates or their supporters have no place in New Jersey.

After the first assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally, two New Jersey gubernatorial candidates issued a bipartisan joint statement urging our political leaders and residents to treat one another with civility and respect. It is my hope that all New Jersey political candidates in 2025 – as well as the voters whose support they are seeking – make the same commitment to civility. 

Governing from a place of anger cannot be done effectively because incivility breeds mistrust – something that Alexander Hamilton eventually came to understand. New Jersey’s business community stands ready to do its part to elevate civility in the political process and be part of positive efforts to address our state’s challenges. We look forward to spirited gubernatorial and Assembly races in 2025 and wish all the candidates good health and safety in their campaigns.

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