Recently, a meeting in Upper Bucks was canceled because of threats. Earlier this month our nation faced a political assassination. There was an attempt on the life of the President of the United States. Melissa Hortman, former Speaker of the Minnesota House killed. Here in Pennsylvania, an attempt on the life of Governor Shapiro.

One thing is very clear.

Concerning the most recent tragedy: I knew the name Charlie Kirk before this month, but I didn’t watch his content. I just don’t spend a lot of time in the world of social-media influencers. Clearly, many Americans do. So I took time to learn about him. Family man. Christian. Loving father. His viewpoints? Some I agree with, some I don’t. But he was very clearly an effective communicator who used his words. That’s a hallmark of American democracy. His death is unquestionably a tragedy.

Many statements followed. Sadly, a current state representative and candidate for Lehigh County Executive Josh Seigel made a reckless social media post missing the moment. He took the low road, inviting and cultivating more toxicity and finger-pointing. That’s not leadership. And it saddens me to think that element might be creeping into county politics, where our current board and executive have worked hard to solve problems together.

Others, nationally, rose to the moment. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican said, “At some point we have to find an off-ramp, or it’s going to get much, much worse.” He’s right. We desperately need to find the off-ramp.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, Independent, added: “A free and democratic society ... depends upon the basic premise that people can speak out, organize and take part in public life without fear – without worrying that they might be killed, injured or humiliated for expressing their political views.”

That’s the kind of restraint and perspective we need.

I’ll share something personal. Twice in my 12 years as a part-time local elected official, loved ones have told me I should stop. Both in the last year or so. Why? Because public service now almost feels dangerous. Twelve years ago, that wasn’t the case. This shift should disturb all of us.

Elected officials and candidates need to resist cheap applause lines that demonize opponents. Stop trying to score easy political points by exploiting anger. Start modeling restraint. Acknowledge that disagreements don’t erase a political opponent’s humanity.

We should also remember that people we disagree with – even vehemently – often want the same basic outcomes: safe communities, opportunities for our kids, a country that works.

We need reforms to end the zero-sum game. Gerrymandering hardens divisions instead of encouraging cooperation, fueling anger and mistrust. We also need to restore checks and balances. The founders designed a government that moves deliberately to encourage debate and compromise. We’ve drifted from that, as Congress has ceded too much power and presidents of both parties lean too heavily on executive orders.

We should also make civic education a cornerstone of K–12 again, so the next generation understands how American democracy was designed to work.

We’ll always have different ideas on how to get there. Philosophically, policy and priorities. That doesn’t make our neighbors enemies. Democracy depends on us debating the path forward without the clumsy, zero-sum impulse to “own,” destroy or dehumanize each other.

Let’s take the next exit off this path. I’m not scared for myself. But for my daughter? I am nervous about the world we’re leaving her.

Ron W. Beitler

Lehigh County Commissioner