My parents visited this weekend and we talked about the future of democracy. It’s kind of a family tradition, and knowing that will probably help you understand me and the rest of this site.

In any case, we were all worried that the rise of political silos in US culture would actually tear the country apart again. Between Dominionist home-schoolers teaching their kids hard-right alternate-universe history and grooming their charges for government, Texas institutionalizing the same in state public schools, and the (reciprocated) mood of hatred and suspicion from the Republican base, we have good reason to be concerned.

Yes, American politics has always been contentious. Adams and Jefferson called each other names, too. But it is getting kind of scary.

Enter the Coffee Party which is trying to make public discourse and informed debate hip again.

We encourage deliberation guided by reason amongst the many viewpoints held by our members. We see our diversity as a strength, not a weakness, because we believe that faithful deliberation from multiple vantage points is the best way to achieve the common good. It is in the responsible and reasonable practice of deliberation that we hope to contribute to society. Coffee Party: About Us

If that looks familiar, it should. This theory has been called “the Marketplace of Ideas,” and it’s the foundation of self-government. I think there are an awful lot of people who could use a remedial course in appropriate democratic behavior, and to the extent that Coffee Parties can provide that I think they’re a fantastic idea.

As with all marketplaces, however, good functioning relies on everyone following the same rules and agreeing not to exploit its weaknesses. No matter how much you value diversity, there are some opinions you simply cannot respect if you want to keep your marketplace of ideas open. For starters, you have to require participants in the marketplace of ideas believe in the marketplace of ideas.

The greatest weakness of “the marketplace of ideas” is the creeping suspicion that you have to “respect” any idea, no matter how destructive or loopy. Which is why I can’t sign the Coffee Party oath:

As a member or supporter of the Coffee Party, I pledge to conduct myself in a way that is civil, honest, and respectful toward people with whom I disagree. I value people from different cultures, I value people with different ideas, and I value and cherish the democratic process. Coffee Party Oath

I mean, the statement of values — for all it’s liberal new-agey touchy-feely language — is pretty accurate. But because I value different cultures, different ideas, and the democratic process I most certainly cannot behave civilly and respectfully towards everyone I disagree with. Some people don’t deserve that.

I cannot “respectfully disagree” with advocates of torture, people who advocate imprisonment without access to a fair court, racial supremacists, religious supremacists, gender supremacists. There are some ideas that don’t pass the snicker test, and others that are demonstrably false. And as frustrating as it might be, much of the political opposition right now as signed on to these democracy-obliterating ideals.

There are some points of view that just have no place in civil society.