This country is divided, regrettably. Society is polarized, very unfortunately. Our politics has increasingly become acrimonious, negative and therefore unproductive. Over the years our approach to national issues has been riddled with, and undermined by, blind political fanaticism and cheap tribal chauvinism.

The pursuit of “stomach politics” has promoted a dark culture of sycophancy and opportunism. Decency, integrity and honesty are drying up.

Some of us would say anything, support anything and do anything so long as that will reap us personal dividends. It really would not matter how ridiculous, how bizarre and how senseless that position is.

The national interest has been brutalized by these negative tendencies.