Enough is enough.
Throughout the course of each election season, voters are treated like feeble-minded simpletons by the public relations spin doctors of the Republican and Democratic parties.
On a daily basis, they churn out one press release after another, rife with hyperbole and propaganda with a single goal in mind – convince as many people as possible that the other party in general, and their candidates in particular, are evil and will ruin life as we know it in the state of New Hampshire and the United States of America.
However, even those most adept at political posturing know there is a line – a line beyond which lies topics that are off limits even in the most passionate campaigns; a line beyond which exists statements that are never made by those with even a shred of good taste and decency.
One such topic would be the suggestion, even in jest, that the nation would be better off if leaders of the other party died or, more specifically, were assassinated. But that's exactly the subject of a "joke" included in a recent New Hampshire Republican Party Newsletter circulated by state GOP Chairman Fergus Cullen.
In the anecdote, a suggestion is made that the Marines who fired a 21-gun salute as President and Mrs. Clinton were leaving Washington for the final time in 2001, showed poor marksmanship by missing the First Family.
Not surprisingly, New Hampshire Democrats are calling for Cullen's ouster. It may ultimately come to that. We would, however, be happy to hear Cullen apologize and express an understanding that he crossed the line, showing poor taste and disturbing lack of respect for the office of the president.
Kennedy, King, Sadat, Bhutto.
Hopefully, we never reach a point in this nation when political assassination becomes acceptable fodder for sophomoric humor.
The people have spoken
Each week, the Derry News offers its readers the opportunity to take part in an online poll. The results are, admittedly, unscientific. However, the questions give residents a chance to have their voices heard on various issues.
Recently, the topic was whether members of planning boards, zoning boards and conservation commissions should be elected by the people or appointed by town councils (as is presently done in Londonderry and Derry)
The results were extraordinary.
Of the 15 people who responded to the poll, 14 said those boards should be elected, an overwhelming 93.3 percent.
While it would be unwise to make too much of these results, it is far and away the strongest reaction we have had to any poll question to date.
The message from the respondents is clear – better that these boards be accountable to the voters that to the town councils. Remove any hint of backroom politics and put the power back in the hands of the people.
It is worth considering.
