Leslie Shaw Klinger: Politics has always been a contact sport in America
Politics and violence have always been uneasy bedfellows. U.S. citizens have never been immune from the belief that the practice of free speech means punching someone with a different opinion in the nose or shouting down a speaker with what they have declared as hateful or horrid ideas. The race to demonstrate who can be more thug-like seems to be one entered into with gusto by both sides of the political aisle, and each group loves to point with righteous indignation at the other, declaring themselves “Keepers of the Flame of True American Values.” This has been true since the inception of the United States. Street fights and brawls during political season is nothing new.
I love my country. I am so grateful to be a citizen here. However, for the first time since being granted the privilege of voting, I feel helpless. There is no one representing me, no one who seems to share my opinion on anything. I am without a candidate and cannot think of anyone to support. So go ahead ... keep swinging, guys and gals. At the very least, I am entertained.
Leslie Shaw Klinger, Modesto
This story was originally published March 22, 2016 at 1:17 PM with the headline "Leslie Shaw Klinger: Politics has always been a contact sport in America."