Page 28 - Life In Naples Magazine - November 2015

MESTHSE PAOGPEE’S
Follow the Golden Rule

by Congressman Curt Clawson

W ith turmoil in the Middle East and elsewhere, economic POPE FRANCIS
and other challenges at home, and divisive political
rhetoric invading us every day, I’d like to focus on some of policies that strengthen our nation, protect individual
the messages we heard from Pope Francis, during his September visit liberties, and provide hope and opportunities to so
to America. While all will not agree with everything the Pontiff says, I many Americans who can’t find good-paying jobs
think we can learn much from his calls for peace, unity, inclusiveness, today. We need to work more as a team, as we seek
and compassion for those in need. solutions to today’s challenges.

I found the Pope’s words quite moving. He reached out to everyone You sent me to Congress to represent your interests
– regardless of our specific religious beliefs or political persuasions. – with integrity, dignity, and in a respectful tone. That’s
He gave us lots to think about – ranging from the sanctity of life, how I conduct myself, every day. My team and I came
the importance of family, the protection of our natural treasures, the to Capitol Hill to apply our talents, leadership skills,
cruelty of human rights abuses, and the lack of religious liberties and life experiences to make a positive difference.
around the world. That’s made difficult whenever special interests stand
in the way of honest, productive dialogue. And it’s
He urged us – in our families, in our work, and in our outreach to particularly bothersome when the discourse goes
others – to always follow The Golden Rule: to treat others as we would over the top, in negative directions, and even personal
like them to treat us – a message of profound simplicity. attacks. We’ve got to find a way to disagree without
being disagreeable. We are committed to help set a
The Pope offered these wise words in the first-ever papal address better tone in Congress.
before a Joint Session of Congress. It was on Thursday, September
24, when the spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church, the first That’s sort of what Pope Francis spoke about in
pontiff from the Americas, spoke to members of Congress. Justices of Philadelphia, a few days after leaving Washington D.C.
the Supreme Court and members of President Obama’s Cabinet were He focused on the importance of family – including
also present. the broader sense of family in our communities and
in our work. He advised us not to “throw plates” at
Thousands from around the country traveled to Washington, each other, and not to raise our voices in anger – but to
D.C. to take part in this historic event. My office had the pleasure instead listen to and respect each other. He asked us to
of welcoming 35 of our Southwest Florida constituents that day.
They watched a live telecast of the speech on the Capitol’s West
Lawn, where the Pope later greeted them in person and blessed
them before departing.

During his address, Pope Francis called for a more substantive and
friendly dialogue in the United States, including in Congress, on the
challenging issues of our time. He asked us to break out of a cycle of
polarization and paralysis, and to instead work as a team toward the
common good. He called on us to focus on those who find themselves
without opportunity, especially those who are hopeless and in despair.

The words of Pope Francis reminded us that our nation faces a
number of issues that merit serious discussion in the remaining months
of this first session of the 114th Congress. I fully agree that we simply
must find a better way to work together – as we strive to implement

28 Life in Naples | November 2015