Originally published in the Grand Rapids Business Journal, October 4, 2004.

Here we go. It's weeks before the election, and the political rhetoric is hitting a pitch. Attack ads are attacking, spinmeisters are spinning, party loyalist are loyaling, and debaters are, well, mostly just reciting their platforms and not answering the dang questions.

In West Michigan, deeply felt political beliefs have apparently manifested themselves in a rash of yard sign snatchings. Sigh. I sure hope it's not going to get too much worse before it gets better, so this week's comic is a meager attempt at providing some perspective.

Please repeat after me: Senator Kerry doesn't kill babies. President Bush doesn't have petroleum running through his veins. Democrats do not all yearn for a socialist state. Republicans are not all bent on running the country as Christian mullahs. People who describe themselves as liberals are not automatically going to hell. People who describe themselves as conservatives are not automatically going to heaven.

If you find yourself strongly disagreeing with any of these statements, may I suggest you step outside and draw a breath of crisp autumn air. There. Now no more blogs or talk radio for you till after November 2.

If that doesn't help, maybe this will. We live on a cul-de-sac with a fairly diverse mix of people. I love this neighborhood -- even more after chatting yesterday with the elderly widow who lives across the street. She is a Kerry supporter and has a yard sign indicating this. Her friend, another elderly widow who lives a few doors down, is a Bush support with a Bush yard sign. These ladies go on walks together nearly every day. I asked her if -- even after having been neighbors for 40 years -- this difference of opinion ever causes problems. "Oh, no," she replied matter-of-factly, "we don't talk politics when we go for walks."

People, this is America at its best.