To the editor:

Some of the recent letters in this forum offer great examples of the widening gap and the growing polarization between Democrats and Republicans in our country. Supporters from each side routinely spew hyperbole which is based on opinion represented as fact, half-truths or even total fiction in an attempt to gain public support for their position. Ideologues on both sides utilize dishonesty, fear and ignorance to gather flocks of people, like sheep, for their own purpose.

It is most disturbing that at least some of those on each side actually believe that they know all the answers and take every opportunity to criticize and dismiss the ideas or actions of those with opposing views. Lacking facts, ideologues make their point by lying, exaggerating, name-calling or using sarcasm. They somehow feel justified because, after all, people who don’t believe like them must suffer from some combination of stupidity, meanness, naiveté, ignorance or elitism.

These extreme positions have gained so much traction in their respective parties that reasonable Americans are being forced to choose a side. It’s no longer about choosing representatives who are intelligent, fair-minded individuals who will thoughtfully represent me, my neighbor and all Americans, but rather, which extreme viewpoint am I most afraid of. For many citizens, it has become a choice of the lesser of two evils. Too bad.