Letter to the editor: Let's change the debate rules

It is apparent that none of the debate participants follow the rules. Why don’t they have a clock running the selected response time that automatically shuts off the mic of the debater when his or her time expires? Is it any wonder why people lose respect for leaders when they have so little regard for rules?

They should also be prohibited from discrediting their opponents. Don’t tell me why your opponent is bad. Tell me why you are good. Phrase the questions around the critical issues, and each gets to offer a response. For example, I hear people saying President Trump mishandled the covid-19 crisis, but they can’t say how it should have been handled. How would Joe Biden have handled it in the same period of time without the factors that have been learned since February?

Trump restricted travel into the United States and was criticized for it. Should the borders be left open? To mask or not to mask — how much do they actually protect? Which is more important, the country’s health or the economy? We have too many questions and not enough answers, and I didn’t hear any solutions in the debates, either.

It’s time for dignity and respect. No more tearing up a president’s speech, no boycotting an inauguration because your party didn’t win, no more denying history and tearing down monuments/statues.

Eileen Condie

Hempfield