Is racism eroding our democracy?

Racism is ugly. None of us wants to admit being influenced by racism, but even in small doses it eats away at our collective soul, preventing us from fulfilling our potential as individuals or as a nation. No one is immune. We fought a civil war not only to free slaves but to help our country rethink the issues of race and economics.

Many marched in civil rights demonstrations of the 1960s; many more fought hard to support laws that protected women, linguistic minorities and people of color. We finally elected a black president, by an overwhelming majority. He's a man of incredible intelligence and integrity, and is working hard to make the lives of all citizens better.

Today some conservative talk show hosts and a TV commentators have encouraged their listeners to lash out at President Obama. Those who disagree with the president quickly claim they are just expressing their views, their right as good citizens. Perhaps. But the legitimate political debate about the size and role of government appears to be drowned out. The arguments are more consumed with irrational noise, misstatements/lies and expressions of violence than by rational civil debate.

There also is a loud minority who are unwilling to accept a black man as president. Thus, they even question his citizenship, and in a few cases even try to intimidate him by showing up at public meetings with loaded weapons. These are invitations to violence. The president correctly refuses to engage in this ugly race game, but responsible political leaders of both parties must speak out, or violence will surely rear its ugly head.

South Carolina's Joe Wilson demeaned the president. To the shame of a nation and to the embarrassment of responsible South Carolinians, he shouted "you lie" (President Obama didn't) during a joint session of Congress. Mr. Wilson is now a hero to right-wing radicals.

Recent tea party participants had signs of President Obama painted as an African witch doctor or other unflattering depictions. Here in Carson City a tea party enthusiast had a hand-painted sign with Air Force One taking off from a watermelon patch. Tea party organizers did nothing to discourage the racist signs, and casually justified these abominations as "over enthusiasm." Dangerous.

Nevada columnist Emma Sepulveda recently wrote of an Arizona minister who is preaching violence against President Obama. Pastor Anderson is calling for the death of the president. This minister and Chris Broughton (the fellow who brought an assault rifle to a President Obama town hall meeting) came to the Arizona town hall meeting together.

Political leaders, take note and speak out.

• Dr. Eugene T. Paslov, former Nevada superintendent of schools, is a board member for Silver State Charter High School in Carson City.