Why Can’t The Left Be Tolerant Of Different Ideas?

Tweet

Written By:
Rob Port

Jul 21, 2012
9:34am

That Chick Fil-A is a company that adheres to socially conservative values up to and including opposition to gay marriage. So I’m not sure why there’s a controversy over the company’s president affirming that opposition. It’s not a position I agree with – I think the government ought to butt out of the marriage issue – but to each their own.

What’s surprising is the left’s reaction, which goes beyond mere criticism of the company’s position (which would be perfectly acceptable) to demands that the company’s ability to do business be limited through public policy.

Case in point, the Mayor of Boston (a Democrat) reacting to this “controversy” by vowing to keep the company out of the city.

“Chick Fil A doesn’t belong in Boston,” Thomas Menino told the Boston Herald. “You can’t have a business in the city of Boston that discriminates against a population. We’re an open city, we’re a city that’s at the forefront of inclusion.”

Yes, they’re an inclusive city, except for people with views the mayor doesn’t like.

A local Democrat congressman agrees with the Mayor:

Rep. Mike Capuano (D-Mass.) — who represents Boston — said in a statement to POLITICO that he agrees with Menino.

“I respect the opinions of all people, even if I don’t agree with them. That includes Mayor Menino’s right to express his opinion, which is one that I share along with many Massachusetts residents,” he said. “We want to live in a community free from those who discriminate. I see no reason for our community to support the business of someone who discriminates”.

Nothing says “I’m against discrimination” like discriminating against those whose views you disagree with.

For the record, while Chick Fil-A holds socially conservative views as a company, they don’t discriminate when it comes to their customers or employees.

I’m all for tolerance, but I’m not sure many of the people who thump their chests the loudest about tolerance really understand what the word means. It’s not just tolerance for the way you see the world. It’s tolerance for the way others see the world too.