Letter: Midterms show extreme ideas are not mainstream

The entertainment industry is always looking to stimulate our curiosity. During the 1800s and into the early 1900s, the circus would come to town accompanied by side shows. Often these side shows were quite lucrative and there was competition to find the most freakish human being or animal to pchut on display. People found it difficult to resist the temptation to take a peek.

This would not happen in this world, as we now have a cultural understanding that all people, regardless of condition, are worthy of respect.

However, our curiosity remains. It is the reason that our media spends so much time on the crazy and outlandish statements of those on the political extremes. All of this was made especially popular by our previously twice impeached, currently under investigation president. The more freakish or outlandish the claim the more extensive the coverage.

So, extensive in fact that it's hard to resist being pulled into believing that these freakish ideas have become mainstream - that they might control our politics for a long time. How scary is that?

Fortunately, my trust in the American people remains strong because the midterm elections have rejected the freakish ideas of the far-right as sanity, honesty and democracy prevailed.

Hallelujah.

John S Strauss

Campton Hills