Comments about ‘Letter: Keep politics civil, especially at the local level’

But so much of politics is about power -- both personal and political -- with personal probably being in the lead. There are very few humble, honest persons seeking public office. Only when we find a way to remove personal rewards from the process will we find the quality of people we really need in government at all levels. (I know, there are exceptions, but they seem to be few and far between.)

Hate is the weapon of choice in political campaigns.

It’s popularity comes from the fact that it is about the only weapon left to the politicians when most all the candidates have identical backgrounds, loyalties and probable outcomes.

I personally believe that we seldom or ever hear actual truths about the candidates from their campaigns. If we would improve our evaluation of candidates we should do away with media campaigns and signs if favor of a printed and published political resume, prepared by the candidate, with the possibility of verification.

Business generally does not allow campaigns from prospective employees. They depend on written and factually verifiable information in the application and resume. Is this better than holding a popularity contest. Only for the very highest executives do they allow an election, and then it is not a people vote but the money vote that wins the election.

I don’t think we want a money vote to win our political leaders election. However, the media campaign does exactly that.

We do need greater civility in politics. We also need greater openness, decorum, and respect for others. Unfortunately, the political extremists are unwilling to practice these values.

One must ask the question, Why are the extremists so uncivil to everyone? Clearly, they are uncivil because that is what is successful with the great mass of voters who cannot see what is going on. If we truly want to reform politicians, we must reform the voters. Only those who demonstrate that they are willing and able to educate and inform themselves about the issues should be allowed to vote. That is the only way to return civility to the process.

John C Spring -- I agree fully. But perhaps you need to go stand in front of the mirror and read the second paragraph aloud to the person you see reflected there.

Incivility in a Senate race in Utah? I noticed that the Hatch campaign is the only senatorial campaign that can afford to be heard and heard often, and that their ads are running several times a day, every day, and that Hatch's opponent cannot afford more than a rare attempt to express his position.

Since people are not always sufficiently civil to one another to please everyone, and since a good man is always likely to be made an offender for a word, let us aim at Truth over such meticulous civility,and the opportunity for all to be heard.

One Old Man,

You are too funny.

Cue Michael Jackson's Man in the Mirror . . .