by Marry Wakefield Buxton –
Urbanna, Va. — Several weeks ago in the new “Sentinel Sound Off” feature readers were asked if they thought President Trump would be able to open America for business. One of the respondents answered, “There’s so much hate between the parties I don’t ever discuss politics.”
How true. Her sentiment is shared by millions of Americans disgusted with the extreme partisanship and hatred dividing our nation. I’m tired of the constant criticism of Trump. I appreciate all he is doing to take care of this nation and I’m grateful we have a dedicated and knowledgeable CEO in the White House during these challenging times.
Yet, how many times have I said this phrase? “He’s not my favorite president, but he’s my president until the next election.” More truth. Every president has personality traits and flaws that I personally dislike, some a great deal more than others, but most presidents I’ve observed over the years work hard and do the best they can do. And Trump has had much more flak to deal with than most.
But the partisan fury, seemingly driven by politicians, has pushed far too many Americans to a passion of raging boil. It’s time to stop it. Politics is never a pleasant business even under the best circumstances but far too many people today are mindlessly following party doctrine to the point that it has harmed society. I wish I could blow a whistle and magically end political parties because they are now causing more problems than solving them.
The president is guilty of outrageous behavior: he assigns demeaning names to political opponents — “Sleepy Joe,” “Nervous Nancy,” “Crooked Hillary” are just a few examples. If the president wants respect, he must show respect for others.
The speaker of the House is no better. Instead of acting like a dignified leader, (she holds the highest Congressional post a woman has ever attained) she pitches a snit behind the president after his State of the Union address tearing up her copy of his speech. If she wants respect, she must show respect for others.
The Senate minority leader follows similar example … it’s almost as if all three of them want to outdo each other in juvenile behavior. He stands on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court shouting threats to two recently appointed conservative Justices warning them of trouble if they don’t vote on abortion issues the way he thinks they should. If he wants respect, he must show respect for others.
Worse, leaders of both parties constantly blame each other for the problems they face. Obama blamed Bush for all his problems and Trump has paid him back royally. Trump has said numerous times when he took office the military had no ammunition and the Feds weren’t prepared in masks and ventilators. Casting blame on others is childish.
The impeachment attempt to oust the president just 10 months before the people could decide their choice was a disgrace. More recently we had to sit through weeks of painful negotiations between both parties bidding “pork” to legislation to alleviate pain from the economic shutdown. These delays were insensitive to those suffering from the economic shutdown.
As if we haven’t had enough investigations, we hear of yet another Congressional “inquiry” of President Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Will the intra-party fighting (no matter what the consequences may be for the nation) never end?
Looking down the road to the upcoming presidential campaigns and as extreme partisan zeal rises, can we hope for improved behavior? Or will this campaign be the biggest turn off election ever? Will Republicans be described as money grubbing scoundrels who are willing to sacrifice old people to the coronavirus in order to open up business? Will Democrats be portrayed as backroom schemers plotting to prevent businesses from reopening as a ploy to destroy the free enterprise system?
Will there be fighting over the election results? Charges of corruption, illegal voting, and the basic injustice of the Electoral College? More Congressional investigations? Oh please. Been there and done that, dozens of times.
Many Americans have given up party affiliation. Too much rancor. All we want is to live in freedom and peace and be responsible for ourselves, loved ones and do what we can to help our fellow man while pursuing our individual dreams. But rabid partisanship threatens such goals.
Yet, I believe in certain times, in extreme difficulties or national peril, Americans can rise to surprisingly high levels of behavior. Our goal must be for all citizens to understand both political parties have some truth to share and, if we want to keep our Republic, cease looking at every issue through myopic partisan eyes. In other words, stop the shouting and listen. ©2010
