Toxic People 3

I ended part one of this musing like this:  What shall we do with toxic people?  Cut them out of our lives?  Learn to ignore their foolishness and appreciate their good points?  Lock them up?  

I am not wondering what society should do with toxic people.  I am wondering what thinking people, people like you and like me, should do?  I even wonder if there is one answer that fits all situations, or it this requires pondering, puzzling over, and serious thinking. 

I have to wonder how our government would work if all the toxic people who are elected, and who influence elections, were locked away where they could not speak to other and  could not spread their poisons.

But who decides?  To many Abraham Lincoln was a toxic person who advocated for a larger role of the Federal government, for war, and for emancipation of slaves.  To many others Abraham Lincoln was not a toxic person, but a man who cautiously embraced change for himself and for his country.  Who decides?  A committee?  An individual like John Wilkes Booth?  Voters?

I know individuals who are extremist right wing bigots who advocate being ready to overthrow our United States government by force.  Yet individually many are kind to dogs and children, and pleasant to be around.  Others are violent and scary.  I have to ask what makes a person a "toxic person"?

What do you think?  How would you define for yourself what a toxic person is?  Our next part in this musing will explore ways to interact positively with toxic people.