By Patrick Lynn

The past few weeks we’ve been getting police reports indicating an uptick in political sign vandalism. It’s not a new story, and there’s no pretending people aren’t passionate about their politics, but trespassing and vandalism is just a bit too juvenile.

Midterm elections are rarely so hotly contested, but with Mary Burke and Gov. Walker facing off in November- and ever since Act 10- just about everyone has an opinion on those evil Democrats and those lying Republicans. Also, Portage County will now be asked to vote for an advisory referendum as to whether the state should raise its minimum wage by more than $3 an hour, which has already created a great deal of conversation between the two major parties locally.

But for some reason, people seem willing to stop at nothing to push their political agenda; but more than this to also drive their adversary’s political belief system into the ground as if they were possessed by the devil.

Both major political parties are to blame- either by actively involving themselves in the name calling and biased criticisms, or by remaining silent on those who do. Election season hasn’t even hit its peak yet, for crying out loud. We need leaders from the local GOP and Democratic parties to join together and call for a stop to the nonsense. It’s turning us into mean and intolerant punks and it’s teaching our children to do the same.

College Republicans and Democrats should follow suit, too, and ask constituents to remain civil and respectful, as should most of our public officials.

So we’re going to attempt to get that ball rolling by asking readers to respect the political beliefs of others- no matter how wacky or misguided you believe them to be- and to talk with your children about continuing that respect when they leave your home each day.

The entire City- Times staff loathes having to print such an editorial, but we see deeply-held fundamental belief systems in many corners of the metro area which seem to share a common trait: being unmoved by new information or new facts & completely dismissing any information contradictory to their own belief.

If you’re old enough to vote, we ask you to keep your mind open, if for nothing else other than productive conversation, and enjoy the privilege and responsibility to vote- a right many people throughout the world cannot enjoy.

You’re adults. Act like it.