Stop the politics of hate

Both the Democrats and Republicans are using hate and division to rally their peers.

The Democrats are smarter in that they focus their hate on Republicans and conservatives, not each other. If you believe in the Constitution, capitalism, religion, or a "color blind meritocracy," you must be a racist, sexist, homophobe, hillbilly, etc. according to Hillary or Bernie.

But at least they don't hatefully attack each other. Republicans spend most of their energy attacking each other.

If you agree with your fellow Republicans on nine out of 10 issues but have a moderate position on the 10th issue, you are attacked and labeled a "Rhino" or some similar insult. The Democrats have been successful in rallying their side against Republicans even though Hillary and Bernie are the two weakest Democrat candidates we have seen for decades.

Republicans have managed to not only alienate hard Democrats; they have alienated moderate Democrats, independents, and even fellow Republicans that agree with them 9 out of 10 times. If The Founding Fathers had used this "hate" strategy, there would not be a Constitution developed through compromise.

If Lincoln had not been able to unite his "Team of Rivals," we would have lost the Civil War. Ronald Reagan showed how to unite the country with dignity, logic and humor; not hate.

None of these great leaders used the politics of hate to save the day.

Republicans have to stop the "circular firing squad" and unite America as global peace and economic health are threatened or we will have four more years of accelerating decline under a severely flawed liberal or socialist Democrat even though Republicans have the best field of proven candidates in decades.

Randy Rossi

Grayslake