By Susan McBain

Yesterday afternoon I attended the Eagle Forum’s candidate forum to hear all six County Council candidates answer questions on a variety of subjects. I thought all gave good answers and showed impressive knowledge of different aspects of the issues. But my main impression was, these are all good, smart, concerned people who would do their best for the county as a whole. At one point I thought, I wish we could have all six of them, as together they represent almost all the constituencies in San Juan County.

I’m concerned and saddened at the over-the-top negative feelings being expressed in this election. Yes, the candidates have different perspectives, but there wasn’t a wild-eyed radical of any stripe at that table. They’ve all got common sense and experience in how our society works, and they respect how it works. I had the sense they all respected each other too. I fear we’ve let the current ugly national temper of all-or-nothing intolerance infect our island culture. It’s not right, it’s not useful, and it’s not the way to reach good outcomes for the whole community. Civility isn’t just pleasant, it’s necessary for a wholesome society. It’s easy really: we all just need to follow the Golden Rule.

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