LETTER: Working together in the face of differences

I applaud the Review-Journal’s recent call for more rational, less inflammatory rhetoric and actions by political leaders (“Time for politicians to bring down the temperature,” April 26 editorial). Clearly, it’s long past time for politicians across the political spectrum to condemn violence.

There have always been contending views in this country, but recent acrimony between people has often led to unfounded accusations that only fan the flames of unreasoned anger and hatred between our citizens.

Two of the points made at the end of the editorial deserve comment.

You quoted President Donald Trump as saying, “When you’re impactful, they go after you. When you’re not impactful, they leave you alone.” The two U.S. citizens killed in Minnesota by ICE agents recently were, I suppose, trying to be impactful in their own ways when they were shot, but they did not deserve to die. Thousands of other U.S. citizens who have been arrested by ICE, and thousands of immigrants who have committed no crime, are not hurting others, but certainly are not being left alone.

There is still room in this country for compassion and for more responsible policies from this administration that benefit Americans rather than harm them.

You also stated that President Trump “brings out the worst in his opponents.” That might be true of a few. Most Americans who disagree with what this administration is doing to immigrants, freedom of speech and responsible environmental protection are expressing their dissent in patriotic, non-violent ways.

We are a great country with a proud history of democracy and an ability to work together, even in the face of differences. One hopes that politicians on both sides of the aisle will recognize this and find common ground, decreasing acrimony, protecting the rights of those who are oppressed and protecting our environment as well.