To the editor:

There are dramatic differences of opinion regarding many aspects of our national life — the war in Iraq, use of natural resources, civil rights vs. national security, encouragement of business vs. support for the individual, etc. It does appear that more people now have opinions. More people realize that decisions made in Washington really do affect our lives. More people seem to be involved in the political process by voicing their opinions, supporting candidates and by voting.

This is good. It seems to me that the essence of democracy is an open competition of ideas. Freedom of speech is more than a right — it is a sacred obligation.

But I am distressed that a mean-spirited, narrow-minded, exclusionary attitude has taken hold in our public discourse. Thus those who disagree with our beliefs are not simply wrong, they are stupid, traitorous, evil. Debate is replaced by distortion, exaggeration, derision and epithet. People stop listening; righteous anger replaces thought. We avoid information or ideas that might challenge our beliefs. We dehumanize the opposition.

This process is illustrated by the recent letter describing peace demonstrators as radical, left-wing nut cases; anyone in favor of a “living wage” as dimwitted; and the Democratic candidates as the “Nitwit Nine.”

We the people can do better than this. We have much more in common than we have disagreements, but let’s celebrate our differences and value the free exchange of ideas. We can be a worthy example for the world.

Joe Douglas,

Lawrence