Does America still deserve to be called a civilized democratic republic worthy of international respect? Can two vigorously opposing political parties fail even to agree on a demonstrable need to mitigate criminality and associated drug dependency in an election year? Are too many clandestine interests profiting from illicit activity? Are we relinquishing our supposed moral superiority – by allowing increased government authority for mandates and oversight to impinge on Constitutional personal freedoms? Can there be any doubt that this problem is exacerbated by permissive invasion of our nation by unscreened refugees to the detriment of its lawful citizens? Wake up, folks. Though the respective party platforms may be in stark conflict and national unity seems elusive, is it too late for average Americans of both persuasions to start talking at neighborhood level? Our tendency to treat politics like a sporting event and obsession with party labels and personalities ignores the extent of shared concerns that too often divide us. Phil Osifer