Christine Burton: No one has to agree, but why must we be unpleasant to one another?

To The Daily Sun,

Why are some people so angry? Recently, I spent a few hours with fellow Democrats on the roadside adjacent to Hesky Park in downtown Meredith where we held signs with the names of candidates we support in the upcoming elections. Other signs proclaimed, “Meredith Democrats Protect Our Lakes” and “Meredith Democrats Value Public Education.” Pretty radical stuff. The vast majority of passersby honked their horns, gave us a thumbs up, or offered a friendly wave. Some were particularly enthusiastic in their responses. A much smaller percentage of the people passing by offered a thumbs down, a single finger salute, or profanity. Why? No one has to agree with me, but why must we be unpleasant to one another?

In my opinion, people look unhappy or irritated when we pass in the grocery store aisles or on the sidewalk; courtesy on the road seems to be a thing of the past. I can understand a grumpy countenance on grocery shoppers’ faces; none of us appreciate the stubbornly higher prices we encounter. Post-pandemic inflation has been a global phenomenon; yet we Americans are so much better off than those in virtually every other part of the world, and it appears the Biden/Harris team has succeeded in cooling inflation, as evidenced by the Fed’s recent drop in interest rates and lower gasoline prices.

A good friend, who had been a lifelong Republican until the election of 2020, recently recommended a documentary, “Unfit: The Psychology of Donald Trump” which may be found on Prime. I watched the documentary recently and found it jaw dropping. The piece examines former president Trump’s effect on our citizenry, culture, and institutions. Has Donald Trump’s past and present behavior given others permission to act reprehensibly? Aren’t we better than this?

Christine Burton

Meredith