I recently wrote a letter to the editor of our local paper. I thought it might me of wider interest, so I decided to post it here.

I don’t know about you, but I am kind of weary of political vitriol. I am not a huge fan of partisan politics. Nor do I like to be lied to. That is why it makes me sad to read articles put forth by partisan folks on either side that are full of errors and downright falsehoods. I don’t intend to call anyone out, except to say this: A constitutional republic is a form of democracy, it still is and I assume always will be illegal to kill babies after birth (They call it murder), nobody is coming for your guns, and nobody is grooming your kids to be LGBTQ.

I am pretty sure of those things. Having said that, I will also say that it is every adult’s duty to vote. I will also be the first to say that it is often difficult to know who to vote for. That is why I am mostly an issue voter. It is just a coincidence that in my opinion Democrats generally are on the right side of issues important to me.

So, in this soon to start election season I encourage everyone to be an issue voter. But the responsibility of an issue voter is you have to research the issues. Be diligent. Scrutinize your sources. We all know there are people out there who will say anything to get power. We know there are people who will distort the truth to accomplish their own objectives. And we all know there are uninformed people who will say things that have no basis in reality. Be an issue voter, like me. Look for the truth.

One of the big reasons I don’t like partisan politics is that it creates a tribal mind set. Whatever my guy says is right, whatever your guy says is wrong. This mindless conflict is too rampant in politics today. We are all human beings, more alike than different. We are all on this life’s journey with the same needs and rights. So, how about this: How about we pull in our horns, look at the human being behind the label, be it Democrat or Republican. Maybe be a little less judgmental. Maybe try to understand the other person’s point of view. Maybe remember what every mental health therapist in the world knows: YOU CAN’T TELL PEOPLE WHAT TO THINK.

So, that is my advice for the day. You can continue to build your political views based on the shifting sand of distortions and outright lies if you want. I choose the bedrock of truth and reality.

Gary Green,

New London

8/15/23