POLITICS: Going way too far

In the Friday, Nov. 9 edition of The Press was “A Democrat’s Message To Republican Friends” by Cory Jane English.

Although she did not win the election, she was most gracious in losing and in congratulating and supporting her opponent that did win. Her message was that there was/is no need for name-calling and that we should all be able to get along with one-another. And, by the way, I am a Republican.

I wholeheartedly agreed with her article, but was going to let it go at that.

But, then, in Sunday’s Press was a letter to the editor, “Morality Is the Key,” calling the Democratic platform “evil” and “immoral” and the Democratic agenda “wicked” and “abhorrent.” Since when is having different beliefs any of those things? While we are all entitled to our own beliefs, I do not feel that there is any place in the political process for one’s religious or morality beliefs as arguing points. There is no place for name-calling. They can, certainly, be the basis for how one votes, but to denigrate an opponent simply because their beliefs are not the same as yours is patently wrong, and shows how small the person is who is making those statements.

Regardless if we like or dislike a candidate or the election winner, name calling accomplishes nothing. Why not put that time and energy into making things work to the benefit of all?

Bottom line, we should all be able to agree to disagree, without being disagreeable about it.

LARRY TANZER

Spirit Lake