Election time is approaching again, but politicians should be very careful when attacking political parties other than their own.

For some reason I get a kick when they start attacking the Tea Party. Who is the spokesperson for the Tea Party? What major candidates are running under the Tea Party slogan?

When you are elected or re-elected to an office, if someone comes to you and says they need your help, do you have them fill out a questionnaire? What is your party affiliation? What are your political beliefs? Did you ever support me? If they belong to a political party or ideology that you have disparaged during your campaign, would you tell them, “I can’t help you.”

I think not. Once you are in office, it is your responsibility to help your constituents. I know it’s a political game that you have to play to put down the opposing political party even if you may agree with some of their beliefs.

Another thing that I get a kick out of are when people of the same party start the mud slinging at those seeking the same office. You point out all their faults and why you are the better candidate. When the person you are running against in your party wins the office you are both seeking, sometimes the loser will back the person who they disparaged just prior to the election.

I can see offering your congratulations, just don’t go overboard praising them just because you belong to the same party. That is flip-flopping just to support your party.

If you viciously attacked them while you were both running and brought out all their shortcomings, how could you wholeheartedly praise them after they defeated you. Did

your opponent magically take on all of your viewpoints?

One of the examples that I’m looking at was at the recent fight for the Democratic nod for Mayor in New York.

The New York City Council Speaker, Christine Quinn constantly attacked Bill DeBlasio about his shortcomings. Others in the race did the same.

After DeBlasio became the Democratic Nominee for Mayor, the way Quinn praised him you would think that she was his campaign manager.

If you didn’t like DeBlasio’s viewpoint beforehand, why would you praise him the day after?

Like I said, a “Congratulations” or “Good Luck” is all that’s needed.

My other topic is “Don’t Mess with the Vets!” This has to do with the recent government shutdown. All I can say: “Shame! Shame! Shame!”

When you try to prevent Veterans from visiting their Memorial in Washington this has nothing to do with what political party was responsible. It was just being mean spirited by the government who knew this move was unnecessary.

Thank God our Veterans were not putting up with that C**p! They fought in real wars. Putting up barricades to prevent the Veterans from visiting their Memorial was child’s play.

There were other memorials in other states that were not under the jurisdiction of D.C. that were shutdown. Government employees were not em- ployed at these parks or memorials, yet they were told to shutdown.

In my opinion, this was disgraceful. These political games need to stop, especially when it comes to disrespecting our Vets. Stop the madness.

– Carolyn Maxwell