Decorum, also known as etiquette, is the idea of controlling your behavior to express propriety, decency, and respect to those around you. In the past, politicians and other high-ranking members of society were always expected to maintain a high level of decorum befitting their status when interacting with others. However, in recent years, it feels like politicians are no longer concerned with maintaining any sense of propriety and are willing to throw vulgar and profanity-laced statements across the political floor.
In the past, hearing a politician swear would be an unheard-of event that would spread like wildfire through the press. But in the modern day? Now, it seems discarding decorum and using vulgar language is the new trend to stand out and get attention from the public.
The President of the United States is a position that makes the holder the figurehead of the United States’ values and doctrines. With previous presidents, the position also came with an expected level of decorum to show respect towards those you interact with and to not cause any unneeded political tension, especially since they would meet with other leaders of nations. However, our most recent President, Donald Trump, has seemingly discarded this and has released profanity-laced statements frequently on social media and in his speeches.
Admittedly, during his first term, this made him stand out from the pack and drew in a loyal following by making himself sound relatable to the common man. However, many politicians have since decided to take a similar stance and have begun casting aside decorum in favor of passionate and vulgar language.
If politicians are to do their jobs effectively, decorum needs to make a great return in our government. How is our government supposed to function if those who are supposed to represent the citizens of America are too busy insulting each other with childlike insults?
Decorum allows those in power to respectfully communicate with one another and argue their side without putting down the beliefs of the other side. It encourages discussion and leads to meaningful progress when it comes to political debates. When vulgar language and personal attacks come into political discussion, all progress grinds to a halt, and nothing is accomplished.
Decorum is necessary to the smooth running of a nation, and it needs to make a major return and win out against this new vulgar trend.
