In an era when a meaningless word, “macaca,” could detroy the candidacy of an honorable man;  when a inadvertent slur is repeated endlessly by the overwhelming drumbeat of a hostile press, when the media is  openly currying favor with one side of the political spectrum, and when the trafficking in dirty laundry by the politicians and the media has become a minor industry, it is certainly time to change.

As with all things Washington, muck is just as much a part of politics as sex, money, power and lies.

Where negative advertising running in heavy rotation in the media is often more effective than issue ads.

Where a “look” is more important than “ideas.” The true triumph of style over substance.

And we all realize that it should not be that way!

At this point, Thompson appears to be a genuinely nice guy with a distinguished background and political experience. While being interviewed, Thompson has consistently declined to comment on existing candidates, even when goaded.

According to big-time political consultant Dick Morris, appearing with Sean Hannity on Fox, “the rap on him has always been that he is lackidasical, that he is lethargic, that he has a balanced perspective of life, he’s not a fanatic, he’s not a crazy worker.” Morris goes on to say, “The Republicans want a tiger. They’re scared to death of Hillary Clinton. And they want someone who is prepared to go out there and rip her apart.”

That’s what Morris wants… not necessarily what heartland America want or needs.

While this is not an endorsement of any particular candidate or a knock on any other particular candidate, perhaps it is time for the people to reject the image, style, glitz and dirt being dished up by a sometimes malevolent media with plenty of 24/7 news-cycles to fill. Especially when the line between hard news and facts is often blurred into puff pieces and self-congratulatory love fests between anchors and reporters.

What can YOU do?

Reject the media and Hollywood. Reject the agenda-driven crazy-partisan actors, spokespeople, religious zealots and self-appointed community leaders and activists, and others who want to inject fear, panic and a sense of desperation into the coming election.

Regard civility and decency as the virtues they were meant to be, rather than a sign of weakness.

If you plan to work for a political party, do not become so wrapped up in the “us” versus “them” thing, that you ignore being what you really are: an American.

Become interested in doing your own candidate research. Look at the voting records. Read a few speeches. Make an informed choice and then VOTE! Encourage others to VOTE. Be a part of the solution, not an uninformed part of the problem.

And should your candidate lose, discourage continued nay-saying and infighting. Join with the rest of America and help those that are elected become better politicians by sending them notes. Let them know what you are thinking. Your participation does not end with a vote.

Remember it is not about right or left, it is about right and wrong. Trust yourself; you’ll know the difference when you see it.

A reminder from OneCitizenSpeaking.com: a large improvement can result from a small change…