Letters to the Editor
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The point is no longer the election but the shouting.
So many responses here - and on DailyKos - is proving everyone loves drama (I also have proved I can't type anything without a few obvious typos).
No matter what valid points are in these in these we are using it as a pretext us to vent pent up rage and anxiety. Having two candidates with vocal supporters gives us a place to direct it.
We've got good reason to be anxious. There's 8 years of frustration as Bush leaves major problems for the next president on nearly every area imaginable. There's shame over the war and torture, and fear of a depression. Plus there's the endless tension over sexism and racism.
So in a way, perhaps the election is providing a needed catharsis. The concern, however, is at some point the ugliness creates a cumulative bitterness which will make getting through the likely tough times harder.
This didn't start with this election or these candidates - it's the byproduct of a years of outrage mining by Rove, Gingrich and company, who capitalize on animosity. We need to remember this.
So at some point we need to get past the freakout and make an effort to be positive - not just about Clinton/Obama but this entire infuriating situation.
Slamming doors and namecalling has its uses, but by themselves they won't stop America from falling apart.