Hateful rhetoric killing America

Divisive political leadership and an irresponsible media are creating an American tragedy.

Failure to accept the results of the election and partisan, hateful rhetoric by politicians of both parties who practice the politics of division has undermined the U.S. democratic system more than Russia could ever have hoped to achieve.

We will all hear the politicians and the media declare that they are not responsible for the violence we witness, the creation of a divided America or the leaks of official documents, which undercut our national security.

The hateful rhetoric continues, however, and the media is willing to print and broadcast leaked documents as well as damaging gossip and innuendo as fact without a single named source. Democracy requires not just an educated public but also political leadership that puts country ahead of party and a responsible media that provides unbiased and verified news and facts.

We are constantly told that diversity is our strength by those who seek to divide us by race, religion, gender, economic status, sexual orientation, cultural heritage or even our geographic ZIP code (coastal or flyover America). We are all, more importantly, Americans and unity is America’s strength. Efforts to divide us weaken America at home and abroad. Enough of divisive identity-politics.

Politicians who do not work together to solve the nation’s problems need to retire. Media needs to set a new standard of responsibility. Debates need to be focused on policy, not personality, with an end to hateful rhetoric. Citizens need to demand it.

This story was originally published June 24, 2017 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Hateful rhetoric killing America."