What is our American culture becoming?

COULD WE PLEASE just stop all this name-calling! For over a year now, we have constantly heard the candidates for president degrading fellow running mates and different groups of Americans. This election campaign seems more about slandering each other than speaking to the issues. Or maybe this is the issue.

If the leadership of this country, founded on diversity and religious freedom, condones bullying and name-calling, what does that say about who we are becoming as a culture? The subject of bullying is front and center when it comes to our youth. The suicide rate directly linked to bullying is increasing. It is also prevalent in our work environments. Does this represent an intolerance of one another that is growing in our culture? If we model for our young people that this behavior is tolerated, how do we expect to change this tragic trajectory?

This is very frightening to me. There are many indicators that we are less accepting of each other — bullying, divorces, lawsuits, mass shootings and this political election process. I want to be able to discern the candidates’ platforms and find myself instead just embarrassed and frustrated.

I so wish we had different options in this election. I wish for a president that will see the good in all people, that will be fair and just in setting policy, and provide true leadership for a people confused and discouraged. As we experienced 15 years ago after 9/11, we became Americans united, supporting and accepting one another.

We need to know our neighbors and the children of our communities. Don’t leave anybody behind. Stop focusing on numbers and look at what those numbers truly represent. They represent human beings, our most valuable resource. We the people need to require our elected officials to be examples of what we want to be as Americans. TRICIA SHELLY Albuquerque