A thoughtful recent “My Turn” article by Steve Mongan (Monitor Forum, April 8) analyzed the Trump phenomenon.
I agree that widespread anger stems in large part from social changes and proposals that have come so rapidly that they have caused many people to feel disoriented and to oppose the groups they think are responsible.
Ideally the pace of change would be fast enough to continually make America greater but slow enough to let people take their time to get on board instead of freaking out.
In practice we have unending debates over everything. When we hear something we don’t agree with, we shouldn’t feel forced or pressured. Examine the argument. If the reasons are convincing, change your opinion. If not, don’t. Rely on your ability to think.
There are two debate tactics to avoid though. One is calling people names. The article agrees and points to examples of people being labeled “deniers” and “Neanderthals.” This fallacy, called ad hominem, against the person is resorted to when someone lacks real arguments. Second, we should avoid violence language, like calling a proposal “job killing.” Jobs are not alive and can’t be killed. This imagery is used to imply that people in favor of the proposal are “killers.”
Unfortunately, the article repeatedly makes that mistake by referring to beliefs being shoved down people’s throats and people being taken on forced marches. None of this is true. We already have enough violence in our world and don’t need extra fantasy violence.
DAVID HAGNER
Concord