A Rhetoric of Hate

To some extent, I am glad the last of the Presidential debates takes place tonight. When the political gloves come off, it can get ugly. The problem for this, this year, has been the hate rhetoric.

I am still in shock over the the scenes I have seen of good, common folk calling for the death of one of our political candidates for President. Why would anyone think that would be okay? No doubt, there may be others who would call for the death of the other candidate as well.

No one should have to die for us to exercise our constitutional right to elect a new President. The differences in political opinion keep us strong. Being Irish, my family will even give you a good argument! In the best of our arguments, no one has had to die.

Eight plus years ago, our country witnessed a peaceful transition of power that was settled by the Supreme Court. Al Gore and George W. Bush both sat on shaky ground. Neither had a clear mandate to declare victory in the election. It took a bit to settle, but our country got it done. George W. Bush became our President. No one had to die.

As a people of faith, it is imperative we raise our voice to this type of rhetoric. We need to call the hand of any who would head down this most ugly road. It is a matter of principle to me. It is a matter of faith.

Ray Province
The Celtic Ozarkian
www.celticozarkian.com