To the Editor:

The political season has kicked in full bore, and what we are about to witness is politics of the anglerfish. Anglerfish have a lighted lure above their heads to attract smaller fish. But it’s a fake, nothing to do with the true purpose of the anglerfish. The hidden agenda is its large mouth. When the small fish approaches the lure, it’s a gonner. That’s nature’s ultimate bait-and-switch.

Some politicians are good at this trick, too. They say one thing to distract your attention, maybe get you outraged into supporting some issue, then — wham — you vote for them, then they go off to work their own agendas. Sometimes, that agenda is simply just to improve their electability or power … but it does nothing to move the country forward.

There are tons of examples, old and new. Remember Richard Nixon? They didn’t call him “Tricky Dick” for nothing. Seems that he demonized just about everyone who ran against him, as a communist or pinko. (His term.) Decency and reality were tossed out the window. Now, we’ve got Donald Trump, labeling people from Mexico as “… rapists and murderers.” His words.  

In both cases, do the accusations of these politicians move the country forward? Not an inch. 

There are two words that tell when a politician is pulling his anglerfish stunt: Hate and fear. When a politician spews hate and fear, he’s trying to divert your attention away from his real purpose, which you can bet has nothing to do with building roads or schools or otherwise advancing the nation’s interest.

Demand reality of candidates — including me. Inflammatory words get us nothing, except a disillusioned electorate when they realize that they’ve been fooled again.

Rick Bryson

Bryson City

Democratic candidate for N.C. 11th Congressional District