Letter: Political civility out the window

Friday, May 21, 2004 | 9:01 a.m.

Voters should not make the mistake of thinking that this presidential election is just the same old, same old Republican-Democrat contest.

Think back over the presidents of the last half century -- Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, the first Bush and Clinton. The one thing they had in common was a general willingness to meet with the loyal opposition and discuss issues, amid an atmosphere of courtesy and respect for one another.

The same thing goes for their Congresses. Sure, there were disputes and the occasional clash, but the majority party would almost always give fair consideration to the views of the minority. That's changed since George W. Bush took office and this current GOP gang took control of Congress.

Courtesy has gone out the window, as they and their followers routinely mock and denounce Democrats, even going so far as to call them traitors. Everything is now hard-nosed politics, as they try to jam through their agenda, and Democratic proposals are seldom considered.

A true American loves his country and its people, and shows respect for the beliefs and viewpoints of others. President Bush and his GOP gang simply don't understand that concept.

RICHARD J. MUNDY