We can still be civil when we disagree

Congratulations are in order for our newly-elected Congressman Jason Smith. Smith defeated Democrat Steve Hodges this week to fill the seat vacated by Jo Ann Emerson and on Wednesday took the oath of office.

Smith is a true conservative who will undoubtedly vote the wishes of the overwhelming majority of residents in the 8th District.

We wish him luck as he journeys to Washington, D.C., to fight the expansion of big government and the liberal Obama agenda.

I have had a good laugh over the past two weeks or so on the state of politics in this country. Well actually a good laugh would be a stretch. It's been more like head scratching.

Earlier in the campaign, I had some nice words to say about Hodges. To be fair, I had equally good words to say about Smith.

But because I did not blast Hodges and tie him to the Democratic establishment in D.C., some of the more rabid conservatives took me to task.

One caller even said I was now a strong Obama supporter!

Now that is rich.

But what it illustrates is the state of politics currently engulfing our country.

It seems that some believe those who hold opposing views are evil. That warped mindset envelopes both parties by the way.

Obama is famous for his attitude of opposition destruction but some on the right hold the very same view.

I've known Steve Hodges for years. Our sons were fraternity brothers together. I tried to sell advertising to Steve and his father when they were in the grocery business.

Steve is a Democrat but not in the same mold as those Democrats we all seem to abhor.

But because I chose not to bury someone during a political campaign, I am now being labeled as an Obama supporter?

Give me a break!

Listen carefully those on the fringes of their respective parties.

Not all political campaigns are about good versus evil.

You can differ with someone's politics and still believe they are good people.

We seem to have lost that attitude in this country.

I am not surprised by the vitriol on the liberal side of the aisle. I actually expect it.

But I am disappointed in my fellow travelers on the right side of the aisle who have such a restricted view of politics that they allow emotion to trump decency and common sense.

Those who felt compelled to trash either Smith or Hodges in this race should be ashamed of themselves.