Reporter Body Slammed by Congressional Candidate. Voter Reaction: Yawn.

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Acts of violence cannot be tolerated, even if the actions that beget violence are offensive.

In this, the sad state of American political discourse, we no longer listen to those with whom we disagree, we use expletives to refer to our adversaries, and we think killing legislation is virtuous unless it is 100% in agreement with our views. This is no way to advance a Republic, much less enable one to survive.

Americans have become too accustomed to nastiness and negativity in politics. It is high time we took hold of our emotions and acted like the mature Republic that we in fact are. This is a call for civility for our own sake and our own good. A movement toward civility should begin with our elected leaders, but since they appear incapable of leading and too selfish and self-absorbed to govern, individual Americans must instead put a stop to this pathetically boorish behavior.

Journalism and journalists may be the only occupation perceived as lower in status than politics and politicians by the American people. Sadly, we need these two professions to survive as a nation. Find a country with a free press, and you’ll find a nation of informed people, or ignorant perhaps by choice or laziness. Regardless, there is no free nation with citizens enjoying liberty on this planet that does not have a free press. While the meaning of a “free press” is open to debate and is certainly undergoing a metamorphosis here in America, the need for it, for any true democracy to endure, is undeniable, for someone must guard the guardians. Similarly, the need for leaders, indeed, statesmen who are capable of putting country before Party and even before self, is more critical now that at any time since our Republic’s founding.