Letters to the Editor for Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Writer: Politicians’ lives are tough
This year I would like to express my thanks to a group of men and women who seldom get any thanks. It is one thing to thank the people I agree with, but quite another to thank those that don’t see things the way I do.

I am thinking of the many politicians, from our cities, towns, counties, states, and the federal level who represent us in various administrative roles. The job of being a politician requires constantly asking (or begging) for money from friends and strangers if one wants to have the job, and then enduring the negative publicity that inevitably comes during a campaign. It is no secret that negative campaigns really do work, and the toll on the children and family members of a candidate can be immense, when minutia is exploited by the opponent to advocate a position. And then the politician has to endure the complaints, often very nasty, from folks who don’t understand why the office holder voted a particular way.

The politician must be constantly careful about every comment they make, because someone is sure to find fault with nearly everything. They must also keep up the image of always smiling, even when it makes a whole lot more sense to be very hurt and angry. There are many extremely complex issues, and the extremes at both ends of the political spectrum are very adept at mobilizing public passion in their own party about an issue. The emotions of a cause are very easily used — and I submit abused — to pull the middle of the spectrum in their desired direction. It has always been the function of leaders to use fiery rhetoric to attempt to persuade others toward the leader’s perspective. But, humanity, civility and our very governmental processes are fragile and can be threatened.

Two recent examples by politicians show efforts to moderate the extremes, even though they came from politicians who can be very polarizing.

Mike Huckabee chastised fellow Republicans who accused the president of searching for a “cheap photo op” by going to Dover Air Force Base to pay respects to our fallen soldiers. Huckabee also noted that some find fault with everything the president does, including hosting trick-or-treaters on Halloween. On the other side of the political spectrum, Bill Clinton complained about Keith Olbermann politicizing a fundraising activity of the National Free Clinic Association. Olbermann wanted the public to know more about the nature of medical care for poor people in Arkansas, and Clinton refused to attend the event that was hosted by Olbermann.

So, for this holiday season, I want to thank our political leaders, whether I agree with their positions or not, for struggling to preserve and improve our communities and nation. They do not have an easy task, but the benefits are well worth their efforts.
DARYL H. YODER
Lynchburg