We are entering into America’s most ugly hours.  The months after the party conventions and before the national election.  The time when the candidates take off their smiling faces and begin to battle each other and attempt to wear the other one down through smears and negative commercials and personal attacks.

Will this year be any different?

Probably not.

The country really is divided.  It’s sad.  It’s not one parties fault but both Republicans and Democrats (not sure you can blame independents, green party, and others since they don’t get much play anyway).  Both parties talk about the other as if they were the axis of evil. Both parties use the opposites party name and attributes (”liberals” and “conservatives”) as if they were four letter words.  Both parties use stereotypes occasionally when talking about the other party.  It’s really sad.

Emotion seems to reign on high above intelligence and respect.  People have a hard time listening when their heart is beating through their chest and their tongue is on fire with passion.  I know this personally, I’m not saying I’m above it - but I’ll acknowledge that when I’m riled up I’m not doing very good at listening or trying to keep an open mind about a differing view.  Muscles tighten, you begin thinking of your rebuttle before the other person has even finished their statement, you start throwing out stereotypes and cliches, and you lose sight of what really matters (change, creating a better world, getting things done by working together) and you only begin to care about winning.  Making sure you are right.

It’s a bitter game us American’s play during these dark days of fall every 4 years.