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I was saddened, but not surprised, by Larry McDermott’s article ‘When state legislators go rouge.’ 

I came to this country 40 years ago and proudly obtained US Citizenship in 1995. For those not familiar with how the process works, at the end of the swearing-in ceremony, the first order of business is to sign you up for a political party. I chose Republican for good reason. For many years I considered my selection a wise one, but last year I changed to non-affiliated in large part due to the decline in civil behavior and increase in toxic rhetoric by junior members of the House – far right and far left. 

In all my years in the US, I’ve never seen this country so divided, and it truly saddens me.

Leaders set the tone of acceptable behavior by role modeling it and setting clear expectations of others. Most parents do the same for their children. If a leader exhibits poor behavior and resorts to derogatory language, it sends a message to all who follow that such behavior and language is acceptable. We now have several House members who salivate at the chance to deliver incendiary remarks to the media or across the aisle to their – dare I say – fellow colleagues. 

As citizens and voters, we need to be very careful and thorough in selecting who should represent us. We should not follow the loudest most obnoxious voice because as we know, empty vessels make the most noise.

 

Ian McDonald

Mill Spring