CALUMNY
As the election nears, the level of backbiting and mud slinging is on the rise. The intent focuses on demeaning the opponent rather than promoting one’s worth. Each candidate and his supporters are stressing fear and loathing about the other party and its leader. Claims of “my way or the highway” are the core values the electorate is expected to take for granted. Malicious misrepresentations are bandied about in costly ads that have proven to be effective, despite the facts of the matter. They depend on the laziness or lack of interest of the voters to do the basic research about the issues. Would conduct in political debate have been different if George Washington had accepted the crown? Are members of the British parliament more gentlemanly than congressmen? Is the Supreme Court a graveyard for democracy? Change is inevitable in all aspects of life, yet in spite of its flaws, our constitution is treated by our politicians as if it were the Holy Bible. In the meantime congress remains stuck in the mire of discord. Unless our president can persuade the nation to do something, the do-nothings will continue to obstruct all efforts to build a better tomorrow. The current political system has killed the idea of compromise. May it rest in peace. Perhaps Thomas Jefferson’s belief that a periodic revolution is good for democracy is an issue that has found its time. A good start would be to call for a Constitutional Conference to create a more realistic one. Whatever happened to Grass-roots action? It’s our only hope to end the discord in congress!