In the words of Frank Cipolla
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How did we get here? How did the political discourse in this country get so nasty? When I grew up my parents instructed me never to talk about politics. Never. Now that's all anyone wants to talk about.
My neighbor introduced herself to me the other day and inside of three minutes, three minutes! She asked me my party affiliation. When I didn't tell her she thought the worst, abruptly ended the conversation and walked away. Which equals she never said hello again. She won't even wave to me.
Is that who we are now?
I have a dear friend in the news business. We are on the opposite ends of the political spectrum. She thinks I'm nuts, and I feel the same way. We're okay with that, and we enjoy each other's company. We politely disagree and know when we've gone too far. It's our friendship that keep us together.
You know it's wasn't too long ago politicians of all stripes worked together. even liked each other. republican Ronald Reagan and house speaker Tip O'neill often had a drink and laughs after work – that's the way it should be.
Now politicians are screamed at while out having dinner with their families. Soaked by fear of everything, this is what we've become. Shooting at congressmen playing baseball and bombs left in mailboxes.
Why can't we just be kind to each other? Why does everything thing in politics have to be a fight to the death with us as the spectators?
Folks it's not politics. It's about civility.
We can talk with each other, disagree and not be angry while doing it. There is such a thing as compromise, or at least there used to be.
I'm hopeful there are more like me out there. I'd like to know you think?
Email me Frank Cipolla at frank.cipolla@fox4now.com.
