Democracy isn't supposed to be about who can scream the loudest

To the editor,

Despite numerous calls to dial back the toxic political rhetoric, hate and finger pointing still spring forth from the usual sources. It has become painful to read the ego-inflated letters of Mr. Veverka and Mr. Wiles. Their letters have become filled with rage so extreme and sputtering hatred of other's points of view, so over-the-top, they are harming themselves as well as public discourse. Both have become examples of how destructive the personal animosity, ginned up outrage and full-throated desire to destroy others with opposing beliefs that dominates our politics.

Wiles, in a recent missive, accuses liberals of "showing their true colors in attack dog paradoxical manner". He continues by commenting on "Their relentless, repetitive put downs". Does Wiles ever read what he summits to this forum? He is one of the biggest offenders of what he is accusing the liberals of. Just in this one letter he asserts that liberals are "moon bats" and that Veverka is a "bird brain"; most people (except apparently conservatives) would consider these "put downs". Contributors with opposing views are often referred to as idiots, complete fools, freedom sucking, Kool-Aid drinking, to name a few. Much like a middle school bully standing before the principal, Wiles explains that these derisive and ridiculing terms used by conservative contributors are meant "in a playful rather than mean spirited way" and then further belittles those who are offended by this ridicule as "thin-skinned elitists". Is he so blinded by his arrogance that he can't see the paradox in what he has written?

While I respect Wiles' and other contributors rights to differ and speak out against Professor Sandy's views of world peace, eradicating hunger, and adequate health care for all, I have never read of the professor "attacking and demeaning" those who take issue with his "quixotic" views. He has defended his opinions, but not in the "demeaning" manner Wiles suggests. If readers have examples of this behavior (and can validate them) please bring it to my attention. Could it be that the conservative elitists are thin-skinned?

I firmly believe that today's political dialogue has been stolen from us by those with the loudest voices, the most capitalized words in their letters, the longest letters, and the influence of big money. Until we begin to take that conversation back for ourselves, we remain at the mercy of those with the most radical agendas, and the most extreme visions for our country. A country run by a vociferous minority that just happens to scream louder than the rest of us is not what democracy is supposed to be about.

L. J. Siden

Gilmanton