I am writing to respond to Mike Mitchell’s April 6 commentary (“What a Trump voter wants to say”).
I am a life-long Democrat who applauds his commentary. The vitriol employed by liberals (and conservatives) to denounce their opponents is appalling. The abusive language we use to criticize each other is not good for our country; democracy thrives when people of opposing views respect one another and use the best of their different ideas to mold compromises.
American citizens can overcome the current tendency to abuse the other side by deliberately seeking out and talking with people who have opinions opposed to their own. Invite people you know who disagree with you — your neighbors, your co-workers, people in your civic or religious groups — to meet once every month or two to discuss controversial issues. Listen to the reasons each side has for its position. Soften your stance to accept the fact that, like Mr. Mitchell says in his commentary about the hateful words used to describe Trump supporters: “I’m none of them. Nor are the vast majority of Republicans any of those things.” Neither am I, nor are most Democrats, unreasonable extremists.
Most Republicans and Democrats share the common bond of being average people trying to make it through life. We will discover this if we take the time to deliberately meet and talk with each other, and vote for representatives on both sides who hold similar values.
Lisa Stettler
Marysville
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