What was designed as an informal meet-and-greet last Thursday for local constituents to visit with their state legislators devolved into a combative town hall-style melee when local progressive Democrats berated and lectured Republican Senator Kurtis Gregory and Representative Tim Taylor in what became a microcosmic show of our national discourse.

The event, sponsored by the Howard County Republican Central Committee at Muddy Mo Pizzeria in Glasgow, drew more than 60 people. But the night quickly turned into a bitterly partisan debate on many of President Donald Trump’s national policies, despite the men serving in the Missouri legislature. However, a few state-level concerns were argued, such as abortion and school funding mechanisms. Often, questions were presented more as lectures than queries, which drew jeers from the mostly Republican audience. Messrs. Taylor and Gregory were even handed pamphlets regarding the war in Gaza as one outspoken progressive told the legislators that everything they’ve been told about the “Zionist” war in Gaza is wrong.

Questions by Republican constituents mostly centered on local issues, such as veterans’ issues the disrepair of local roads and highways.

It is of little doubt that anyone had a change of heart on any issue as those from the progressive left shouted at their Republican adversaries, demanding compassion while reciprocating none.

Was this necessary? Was a goal achieved by this absurd display? Doubtful. Unless, of course, the goal was to simply disrupt, which appeared to be the case. Missouri is a deeply red state, and the Democrats lost at the national level, driving outrageously staged activism across the nation by those on the far left. I guess Howard County couldn’t stay peaceful for long.

At a time when Republicans and Democrats seem to be at one another’s throats more viciously then ever nationwide, a line of dialogue from an Arthur C. Clarke film seems highly apropos. “Just because our governments are behaving like asses doesn’t mean we have to.”

Howard County is a small place, with around 10,000 residents. We’re all neighbors. That doesn’t mean we have to agree. It doesn’t even mean we have to like each other. But we should behave with human decency. From disagreements are often borne better—or at least improved—ideas. Arguments don’t have the same track records. They just breed further hatred and division. Both sides dig in deeper, refusing to budge an inch. That’s regression, not progress.

Our legislators were here to hear the concerns of their constituents on both sides (apparently there are only two) of the aisle. And Democrats have every right to complain to their Republican representatives. But our legislators shouldn’t have to wear earplugs.