1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

The current state of American politics is deeply concerning. What was once praised for its maturity by political theorist Hannah Arendt in 1950 has devolved into a landscape marred by juvenile behavior, trolling, and obscenity from our highest-ranking officials, including the president. This shift is not merely unprofessional; it poses a genuine threat to our democracy. The normalization of crass and immature conduct in our political sphere is dangerous. It risks desensitizing our society to more severe issues such as corruption and violence. This behavior, often attributed to 'ressentiment' - a profound anger and resentment - may explain the continued support for leaders who engage in such conduct, but it does not justify it. As your constituent, I urge you to take a stand against this troubling trend. We need leaders who model maturity, professionalism, and respect for the offices they hold. I ask that you publicly condemn instances of juvenile behavior from political figures, regardless of party affiliation. Furthermore, I request that you support and introduce legislation that promotes ethical standards and accountability for elected officials. It is crucial that we, as a nation, clearly communicate that such behavior from our leaders is unacceptable. I implore you to use your platform to encourage civic engagement, promote respectful political discourse, and work towards restoring dignity to American politics. Our democracy depends on mature leadership that addresses real issues rather than engaging in petty squabbles and inflammatory rhetoric. The time for change is now. We must act decisively to reverse this trend and rebuild the political maturity that once defined our nation. I look forward to seeing you take concrete steps to address this critical issue and to hearing your plans for fostering a more responsible and dignified political environment.