Letter: Country in need of civility, moderation

I am in despair and a friend replied: Why should you be different?

The Republican and Democratic parties have been captured by far right and far left elements, leaving moderates mostly stranded. These extremists wallow in unbending polemics spewed with vindictive venom.

Here is a call for principled and respectful men and women, from all parties and diverse dimensions, to toss overboard the rancid tea of modern politics in favor of a Moderate Party, one where peace and partnership are cornerstones of foreign policy; where labor is compensated by just pay, and honest competition and entrepreneurship rewarded; where human life in all of its varied grandeur is granted dignity; where all religions are valued in accordance with the First Amendment; and where respect, not hatred, forms the basis of our discourse.

It has been said that politics is the art of compromise. Clearly, we have degenerated into a museum full of boorishness and rancor. We and our culture share the blame. Our country is in desperate need of civility and moderation. We look to people in government to be considerate of differing views and raise our collective spirits.

We have never been a perfect union, disgraced by slavery and injustice on many fronts. But our future demands that we do much better.

Dale Kueter

Cedar Rapids