Start Early

Now that the 2010 mid-term elections are history and you're either elated or dismayed, depending on your perspective, let me suggest that it's not too early to start planning ways to inject more civility into the 2012 presidential election year. Since the 2012 campaign will probably begin in just a day or two (if it hasn't already begun), the negative, attack ad machine is already getting cranked up. Most people profess to dislike the character-assassination, mud-slinging, half-truths, and shrill labeling of the attack ads. If that's the case, why are they becoming ever more prevalent and nasty? Answer...because they work. If we're serious about a more civil discourse in the political process, it's up to us to respond to this nastiness and here's how: When the time comes, write, e-mail, or call the campaigns and parties of those you support and insist on a civil, robust debate that focuses on issues and is committed to telling the whole truth. Notice I said "those you support", not those you oppose. Whatever one's political leaning and persuasion, it is time to call those with whom we may agree ideologically to account for the way in which they represent their and our positions.