Our political leaders need to set examples of reasonable conduct

It should come as no surprise that this year’s presidential campaign and our political arena mirror what has been occurring at sports stadiums filled with dogmatic fans; little league fields attended by overzealous, screaming parents; and our nation’s highways, which are besieged by passive aggressive and overtly hostile drivers.

What many on both sides of the political spectrum seem to forget is that no group or person can claim sole ownership of the frustration they have with the many issues that affect us today. No party, candidate for office, or citizen of the United States of America has the exclusive right or trademark on “loving this country.” Whether it’s our nation’s economic future, taxes, trade, debt, entitlement programs, crumbling infrastructure, healthcare, corrupt elected officials, illegal immigration, war on illicit drugs, individual safety, fight against terrorism, social changes or our relationships with adversarial nations and opposing political and religious philosophies in the world, we need to calm down and start acting reasonable.

{mosads}Frustration is not an excuse for the violent displays of lawlessness we have witnessed on the campaign trail. Threats are not a tool for compromise.

It is truly sad that, in our land of diversity, people with different points of view are no longer capable of holding a political conversation without being shouted down, ridiculed, threatened with violence or hit. Reckless actions should have consequences; yet, sadly, it seems many in the media love every ratings inch of it and even inflame the negativity through their own partisan bias.

As the world watches our great nation’s democratic process unfold, this election cycle must look more and more like a reality TV show or the politics being practiced in some third-world countries. One can only imagine how much our image as the “beacon of freedom for the world” has been damaged.

If the presidential candidates want to show Americans — and the world — that they are truly worthy of the office they seek, it’s time to take control of their fanatical devotees and not revel, reward and encourage the bedlam.

It should be made clear that a vote for substantive change will be their ultimate scream of dissatisfaction that sends a real message to our leaders in government.

How I miss the days of Ronald Reagan and Tip O’Neill: two men with opposing points of view who knew the art of compromise and conversation.

From Randolph Yunker, West Babylon, N.Y.