Lack of Respect

When the final chapter of U.S. history is written they will begin the description of our decline with the observation that the first thing to go was mutual respect. When you don't have to respect people, discrimination is next, then physical violence but by then, who cares - "those people" are, using Senator Kerry's words as he described the President of the United States to a group of college students, in denial and they are deceptive and they are stupid. The history books will go on to say that our own leaders lead the way and showed such disrespect for each other as to turn our legitimate disagreements into hatred. Senator Kerry should be experienced enough to know that when you insult someone, you better get it right or you'll look pretty stupid. Everyone knew what he meant; I think that this time even the press was tired of the name-calling and blatant disrespect. I know I am. The first person from either party that states their views in concise and measurable terms, doesn't play the race card or insight hate and envy, and doesn't insult the opposition's intelligence, background, or appearance has got my vote regardless of their party affiliation.