After the vote

The midterm elections are over and Americans are pondering the results of many races and contemplating what it all means.

The campaign season has ended, and that is a relief for many citizens. Americans of all political persuasions have expressed dismay about the campaign process this election cycle.

People have complained repeatedly about the tone of political advertising. The negative attack ads in the mail and on television have disturbed voters and turned many off to politics.

Political analysts claim that the negative ads are the ones people remember, and that is why they keep coming. But how many people actually read their political mail and watch the television ads that deride the opposition with exaggerated claims?

Campaigns should introduce candidates and ideas to the voters. There should be an educational aspect to the process that is missing in many cases. Voters are questioning the value of the political discourse being offered.

Honest criticism of the other side and genuine debate are welcome; distortion and hyperbole are not.

Candidates should remember that voters are most interested in hearing what positive plans they have for governing. Voters are less impressed and often repulsed by attacks on opponents.

Our politics informs our governance. No candidate or party has all the answers. We need to listen to each other more and learn to work together through our differences.

We need more civility in our politics and an overarching desire to work for the greater good. We can do better.