As the election season swings into full gear we are again barraged with political advertisements and news reports pitting one candidate against the other. The combative climate is marked by an atmosphere of confrontational and uncivil discourse. Although there have always been political divisions, heated debates and disagreements on matters of policy, the polarization in our country seems greater than ever. There is little incentive to reach consensus. In fact, suggesting that the other side might actually have an idea worthy of consideration is tantamount to political suicide. The desire for personal advancement takes precedence over the critical needs of the public welfare, the civil good. Gaining power takes priority over solving problems. Jim Leach, chairman of the National Endowment of the Humanities and a former U.S. representative from Iowa, was recently … Read entire article »