Charita Goshay: What's that bump in the night? It's democracy, stumbling

As Canton heads toward its first non-incumbent mayoral election in 16 years, we would be remiss in not lauding how the candidates, Democrat William Sherer II and Republican Roy Scott Depew have conducted themselves.

The campaign has been a stellar example of civility, which means that Cantonians will emerge the real winners, regardless of the outcome.

Some of us are old enough to recall past elections in which accusations of carpet-bagging, malfeasance and adultery flew like shrapnel.

In contrast, when they ended their debate on Oct. 10, Sherer and DePew, embraced as friends.

How many times have you ever seen that?

Regardless of what we see on social media, the camapign proves politics can be done in a positive way, and that people who hold different views can focus on the greater good — namely the betterment of their city.

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Perhaps Canton and Stark County are unicorns. With the possible exception of the Dominion Voting Machines Debacle of 2021, extremism has not yet made its way into the bloodstream of local politics.

Outgoing Canton Mayor Thomas Bernabei and the vast majority of local elected officials have fulfilled their duty with honor and maturity with the understanding that civility and common sense is still the norm, and fanaticism is the outlier.

The current local election certainly is a marked contrast from the circuses we're treated to in Columbus and in Congress, a body which has been taken itself hostage like the sheriff in "Blazing Saddles," and is wholly unable to govern, as the world burns.

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Democracy is in danger because too many people have given themselves to a belief which sees fellow Americans who hold opposing views as the enemy.

Polls have shown that a sizable number of Americans say they believe another civil war is imminent while others admit that violence is acceptable in ensuring that their political views are implemented.

Yet according to numerous surveys, just one-third of Americans can name the three branches of government; one third can't name their governor; only two in five can name a local government representative, and 15% think First Amendment protections go too far.

Scared, yet?

Some people have severed their relationships with families and friends in defense of politicians and public figures who wouldn't darken their front doors. Too many others have bound their lives and identities to movements and beliefs so far-fetched and horrifying that if you saw it in a movie, you wouldn't believe it.

It does not help that most of our public discourse is done these days through social media, where there are no real consequences when false information is spread or shared.

The power of social media to skew and poison and distort has become insidious.

While politics has never been a dance recital, disagreement is being supplanted by demonization, demagoguery, and a deep, simmering resentment fed by the nagging suspicion that someone else is doing better at our expense.

What gets lost in all of the turmoil is the need for people in public service, which now, too, is being denigrated. Trust in those who serve, and of every institution on which this republic stands, is being eroded and distorted, which means that the greatest threat to us is not from without, but from within.

In other words, the call is coming from inside the house.

If we don't wake and and grow up, we're going to turn into "The Walking Dead," a shadow of what we once were, unable to help the lead the world because we can't save ourselves.

It's enough to give you nightmares.

Charita M. Goshay is a Canton Repository staff writer and member of the editorial board. Reach her at 330-580-8313 or charita.goshay@cantonrep.com. On Twitter: @cgoshayREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Charita Goshay: What's that bump in the night? It's democracy