To the Editor:

I can’t hardly stand to read the letters to the editor anymore. Civil discourse, the backbone of any democracy, has sunk to a new low here and across the country. Name-calling, overgeneralization, and denigration have become the new norm. Whatever happened to researched facts, sound reasoning and fair play?

Yes, the stakes in this election are high. But do the ends truly justify the means? We are on the verge of national disintegration and balkanization. Is this the best we can do?

In a nation as large and diverse as ours, there will always be many viewpoints, so to believe that the “solution” to our problems is to convert everyone to a certain point of view is ludicrous. Rather than attacking each other, we need to focus on our common needs and work together on those.

We need to have an honest discussion of the issues, not attack personalities.  We need to be open to the views and experiences of others without labeling and dismissing them. Obstructionism and gotcha techniques are sabotaging our future.

The labeling, character assassination and venomous attacks have got to stop. How many good and capable women and men avoid entering politics because it is too caustic? Some of the most aggressive, power-hungry, money-hungry and/or ideological choose to put themselves on the national ballot and make our policies. How scary is that?

When in doubt, what would Jesus do (WWJD)? 

Dan Kowal

Franklin