Losing our sense of decency.

One thing I've never quite understood is the mean-spiritedness of American politics. Republicans think of Democrats as the enemy. And Democrats think of Republicans as the arch foe. Seldom do they seem to find common ground. Heck, if I had a neighbor I didn't particularly like, I'd still find ways to get along. To be civil. But that happens rarely in American politics. Politicians from the two parties seldom mix socially. Wasn't always that way. But in the past several decades, the relations have deteriorated. Even into vile name-calling. And some of the far right conservatives even threaten to take up firearms if they don't get their way. And politicians in some states even have talked up secession. Forming their own country. Reminiscent of the bombastic rhetoric just before the Civil War. It's evolved into something akin to hatred. Republicans have even likened Barack Obama to Hitler. Yes, it's a sad state of affairs. I know that politics also can be mean-spirited in other parts of the world. But seems to me that the USA is fast-becoming the most hate-filled politic in the world. Not good. A sign that America is on the decline. Used to be we Americans had civil discourse on political, economic and social issues. We were an enlightened lot. Now we act like raving idiots. We've lost respect around the world. Makes me wonder, when did we start to lose our sense of decency? --Jim Broede