Editorial: An ugly side of politics

Posted 9/6/18

The election season is still in its infancy, but already we’ve seen a nastiness that has not been part of local politics in many years. Like layers of an onion, we could peel down through the …

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Editorial: An ugly side of politics

Posted

The election season is still in its infancy, but already we’ve seen a nastiness that has not been part of local politics in many years. Like layers of an onion, we could peel down through the many forces influencing good citizens to act in ways they would not otherwise.

The tone and tenor of our nation’s Presidency has enraged so many people in ways we have yet to fully understand. People are angry and outraged, disillusioned and passionate.

They are disgusted by the President, furious at General Assembly leadership, mistrustful of anyone who’s not one of their own, and demanding change — any change, just change it!

The passion is understandable; the actions not always.

In trying to tear down those currently in power, they are tearing into those on the periphery. Here in Bristol, Andy Tyska has been attacked for alleged ties to House leadership, communicated through crass flyers, a coordinated letter-writing campaign and a show of force at Tuesday night’s debate at the Bristol Statehouse.

In Barrington, fellow Democrat John Chung has been attacked with the exact same tactics, including a mailed flyer that was identical in every way, except for the names.

In the news business, we like campaigns that are lively and loaded with headline-generating debate. We don’t like ugliness.

As citizens in the same communities we cover, we strongly welcome dialogue and debate on all topics. Once, that was the norm.

A generation ago, we would face each other in the coffee shop, the street corner, the public assembly or across the dinner table and speak our minds. We would talk to our opponents, often agreed to disagree, and move on as, if not friends, at least respected neighbors.

Things have obviously changed. Today we pour forth our feelings with the swipe of a finger, lash out anonymously through social media, associate with only our “friends” and discredit anyone who is not of similar opinion or political bent.

Perhaps the changes are irrevocable and we can’t recover what’s been lost. We wish we could. The ugliness threatens not only to hurt good people, but to hurt our pride for the community we call home.

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MIKE REGO

Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.