Political discourse should be a formal exchange of reasoned views, to which different alternative courses of action could be taken to solve a societal problem.

            After discussion, debate, and sometimes compromise, the discourse can be turned into positive action, with only the possibility of disagreement remaining.  Let's face it, all of us will seldom agree on everything.

            Before most of the aforementioned can take place, people will turn political discourse into downright hatred.

            It's my way or the highway.  If I can't win in an honest and noble fashion, I will design a way to win – and I don't care who I step on along the way.  My reputation be damned.

            Politicians, and people who think they are, are usually the worst offenders of turning political discourse into hatred.  They refuse to face their opposition and choose behind closed door get-togethers and social media instead.  Discussion among civilized rivals of differing opinions appears to have died along with their dignity.

            It is evident in all levels government; federal, state, county, and local.

            The days of discussing differences, face to face, over a cup of coffee or a cold beer are gone.  The fear of personal interaction among those with different views is one that seldom existed or thrived in the recent past.  Now, disagreement becomes hate and the opposing sides become threatening enemies, to be cast out of the human race.

            Another form of discourse happening today is that of history being rewritten to fit today's narratives by political pundits and social media influencers.  If history is incorrect, it should be corrected and documented by respected and knowledgeable historians – or at least corroborated by them before it becomes somebody's fact.  Some know-it-all's feel there is no reason to "fact-check" their version of history with well-informed and educated people because they might be proven wrong.

            Wrong doesn't generate many "likes" or "shares" on those who pretend or want to be social media influencers.

            Honesty, not narcissism, will solve more problems and generate less hate.  If you have an issue to address with someone your first action shouldn't be to bang on the keyboard.  Nor should it be to conduct whisper-down-the-lane conversations where you may or may not be sharing the truth, or where the truth becomes distorted as the conversation progresses from person to person.

            Be strong enough and honest enough to talk to those you consider an adversary, one-on-one.  Express your opinion and listen to theirs.  Share differences and argue about them if needed.  When the conversation is done, re-think your opinions (there's no law against that).

            If you still disagree, then so be it – agree to disagree.  But, that's no reason to hate and that's no reason to spread your hate with others, hoping they will hate your adversary as well.

            There was a time when politicians weren't political and got things done for the people they represent.

            Who will bring it back?