CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A dismal new snapshot of jobs in America shadowed the presidential campaign on Friday, testing the voter patience that will sa...

Unlike a 13-episode arc that can be mercifully cancelled when the audience clicks away, we are obligated to suffer through the soap opera plot twists and nefarious characterizations of the characters all the way up to that seemingly ever-distant date in November.

This week, a group of more than 130 former legislators, both Republicans and Democrats, released a letter urging for civility and encouraging candidates, once elected, to focus on cooperation to face our country's greatest challenges.

If America is truly supposed to be exceptional in all things, why do other countries -- almost without exception -- decide our governmental structure isn't really for them, when it comes time to choose?

Instant analysis, instant reaction, instant tactics to meet the perceived American voter need for instant gratification. Missing in all this are old-fashioned Democratic values and political principles.

It's time for the world to stop being snarky at every turn (too easy anyway) and to realize we're all in this together.