by Gayle Guynup 

While I generally do not discuss politics in public, today, it seems, almost everything has a political slant to it. So, I am going to skirt the issue by noting that in this world where everything and everyone is so terribly divided, perhaps it is time to move from the extreme left or the extreme right, and start looking for some, dare I say it, common political ground. 

The anger and Incivility resulting from these extreme political divisions is tearing our country apart at the seams, and creating angst and anxiety that is being felt by everyone from our country’s youngest, most vulnerable citizens, to parents and children who are no longer speaking because of their differing feelings about a host of issues. 

Now, I’m not suggesting that we all agree. That’s never going to happen, nor should we want it to. Freedom of belief and expression, after all,is at the heart of democracy. But can’t we learn to disagree agreeably, and to be civil and kind to those who sit on the other side of the political aisle? 

I grew up in the age of politicians, who, despite their vehement political differences, would sit down at the end of the day and have a drink together, actually talk about the issues, and look for that elusive common ground.
It seems today that the extremists are running the show, and the silent majority in the middle is just that – silent. I am suggesting it might be time to politically silence the extremists on both sides, and let democracy win out. 

All the best,
Gayle