Mensch of the Week: U.S. Rep. Ralph Hall

The Texarkana Gazette writes about Hall's generous aiding of his challenger from 2004.

But a recent event in our own back yard has caused a blip on that radar.

U.S. Rep. Ralph Hall, R-Rockwall, whose district this extreme northeastern corner of Texas has recently fallen into, held a fund-raiser for his Democrat challenger, Charles Nickerson of Pittsburg.

A prominent, longtime Republican helping his also-ran Democrat challenger pay of his campaign debts?

Truly, it's all part of what a kinder, gentler nation is all about.

All kidding aside, this sort of assistance across party lines is quite refreshing and encouraging.

It's raised a few eyebrows throughout the region but there don't appear to be any ulterior motive on Hall's part. He was once a Democrat.

This gentlemanly gesture sets a good example and speaks well of political liaisons and leadership in our area.

It wasn't anything Hall was obligated to do. He said he was compelled to do it because Nickerson ran a clean race against him.

Area Democrats and Republicans turned out to attend the fund-raiser.

Think of it as an example of the adage one good turn deserves another.

After a particularly nasty election year, it's nice to know two candidates didn't sling the mud and extend goodwill toward one another in this manner.

It certainly a different site than we are used to when Republicans and Democrats get together.

More often than not, politics raises those hackles of hatred against the other party and it leads to labeling and intolerance of views other than our own.

As a result of this mentality, we become Republicans, Democrats, liberals or conservatives based on our views.

Oftentimes, during all this bickering and name-calling, we forget we are Americans first and foremost.

As Americans, we have certain freedoms and privileges many in this world do not enjoy.

One of those freedoms is the right have differing views and opinions.

Of course, those differing views are what birthed this country and political parties.

But those differing views should make us foster cooperation and compromise, not division and demeaning ways.

The campaign between Hall and Nickerson and the resulting fund-raiser to assist Nickerson should remind us we can get along despite opposing political views.

It takes tolerance, open mindedness, compromise and a respectful attitude toward others' views.

It's what should always be on our collective radars whether we're talking politics or other subjects.

This is what the political system is all about. Helping each other instead of one man fending for themself. I applaud the Republican congressman from Rockwall