I hold the deep honor of representing the residents of Mukilteo on our city council, so [I] feel compelled to say something about the tragic developments the entire world witnessed over this past weekend.
I’m saddened by the state of our political discourse. I am very sad that a former President and current presidential nominee was nearly assassinated on live television. Our children are watching, and we must do better.
Worse, I am sad that our fever pitch political discourse has barely taken a breath to pause to reflect on the horror we witnessed. Certain local politicians have raced to their media platforms to decry and defend an outrageous and indefensible act, rather than use their leadership platforms to remind us all of our moral compass and to speak to our collective better angels.
Had President Trump not turned his head at precisely the right moment, a ghastly sight would have been permanently imprinted on our collective memory. Instead, a resolute Trump jumped up and created an iconic moment. Although I do not support President Trump, I admire his resolve and wish him a speedy recovery.
Our political leaders need to tone down the rhetoric on both sides. We cannot have a nation beset upon by political hitmen and would-be assassins.
I decry the totally inappropriate violence and I know I am not alone. I pray for our nation divided, that we can be civil towards each other and use our ideological differences to debate vigorously to improve our union, not tear it apart. Healthy policy difference is the healthy tension needed to produce balanced and better policy.
I pray our respective leaders can resume their work with a commitment to their own respective ideals and an even stronger commitment to civil discourse in this great nation, our shining city on a hill.
God bless us all.
Very respectfully,
Michael (Mike) Dixon, Mukilteo City Councilmember
Op-Ed DISCLAIMER: The views and comments expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the Lynnwood Times nor any of its affiliates.
