In America’s politically divided climate, here’s some sane advice | Opinion
Things I once learned in civics classes:
▪ We are all citizens of the United States of America first; before any of us are Republicans or Democrats.
▪ Liberals and conservatives share many, many more core beliefs and values than differences.
▪ The other side does not hate you; don’t waste your energy hating them.
▪ Mark your ballots with at least one vote for a candidate from both parties.
▪ Avoid monolithic generalities.
▪ Treat even those with whom you strongly disagree with the respect and dignity they deserve as human beings.
▪ Seek to understand, not label.
▪ Politicians on both sides lie. Parties care more about power than what is best for those who elected them. They once crossed party lines.
▪ Raise your children to be independent, for only the independents decide national elections.
▪ The civil war won one America, what will we leave our children?
▪ Are we truly “One nation under God, indivisible....” or are we willfully or blindly becoming something else?
▪ Will our actions fuel the hate-fire that’s burning our country apart, or will we act to unite a stronger America?
▪ Love thy neighbor, in spite of their yard signs.
▪ Birds can fly only with both a right wing and a left wing.
Michael Harrington, Pasco
CNN showed us chaos, confusion
Thank you, CNN, for sponsoring the Town Hall in New Hampshire — not that it was that informative, quite the contrary!
Most of the time we were overwhelmed with half-truths, lies and a barrage of bragging. However, it was a stark reminder of just how much chaos and confusion we citizens had to endure when this narcissistic individual was in office!
In contrast, most Americans do not need a daily whirl of chaos, name calling and scapegoating to enrich their lives. We instead like some peaceful time to enjoy our grandchildren, our spouses, our friends. We do not need this unnerving egotist to constantly be “stirring the pot!” Perhaps he should try developing some human relationships himself and give up the need to pick on others.
When the Town Hall was over, I had to ask myself if it was worth watching, and I had to give it a resounding “yes,” but not for the reasons one might expect. Fortunately, it gave us all a clear reminder of just what four years would be like again with this man thinking that he could play king!
A concerned citizen,
Anna Bopp, West Richland
Crime stories are deeply concerning
This last week, the Tri-City Herald published the following articles: Felons in Benton and Franklin Counties may have to be released due to inability to provide public defenders, and Road Rage causes 24-year-old female to cut chin of 61-year-old woman after chase through three cities. These articles caused me deep concern about where we are heading.
First, the rights of the accused criminals have become more important than honest citizens.
Additionally, what is and is not a felony needs to be reviewed. Violent accused offenders should never be released. Appoint a private attorney regardless the cost. Protect us. And second, the 24-year-old female should be charged with attempted murder. She was plain lucky she caught the chin and not the neck. We as a community need to find a way to teach “The world does not revolve around an individual. The individual needs to learn to live in the world.”
My answer for this is the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Or the Ten Commandments. I’m sure others better educated than I can come up with a few more.
Pam L. Jones, West Richland
