FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
It's no wonder the American public is disgusted with Washington and politicians of all stripes.
Our lawmakers sound more like children messing around on the playground than the people meant to represent us and solve the nation's problems.
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/06/11/art.fiorina.jpg caption="In an open mic gaffe, Carly Fiorina was caught on camera referring to Barbara Boxer’s hair as 'so yesterday.'"]
And that starts right at the top.
This week, President Obama decided it was appropriate to go on the "Today Show" and talk about "whose ass to kick" when it comes to the Gulf coast oil spill.
This is a program that's watched by millions of families every morning. Classy.
Then one top Republican jumped in the game.
House Minority Leader John Boehner, who wants Democrats to focus more on reducing the federal deficits, suggested Mr. Obama find someone's "ass to kick" on the budget deficit.
Nice.
Meanwhile out on the left coast - the races for California governor and Senate have devolved into nasty insults - and there are still five months to go before the election.
Democrat Jerry Brown – who's running for governor - is comparing his Republican opponent, Meg Whitman, to Nazi propaganda master Joseph Goebbels.
When pressed on the comment - Brown's people call it "jogging talk" that was "taken out of context."
Brown made these dumb remarks to a reporter on a jogging path.
Then there's Republican Carly Fiorina - who was caught insulting Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer's hair.
Fiorina's spokeswoman dismisses it as "early morning small talk."
California is broke and swimming in problems; and the newest crop of political wannabes engage in personal insults under the labels of jogging and early morning small talk.
What's small are the people making these remarks.
Here’s my question to you: Why has American politics lost any semblance of dignity?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Rick writes:
Actually, they haven't had any dignity for some time.....it just is more obvious now, that the politicians don't limit their inappropriate comments to behind closed doors.
Curtis in Kennesaw, Georgia writes:
Jack, To get votes, they need our attention and what it takes to get our attention anymore is just sad. If it doesn't have a shock value, it isn't worth it. Look at reality television and you can see the same thing happening. Why watch television involving two well-behaved kids and two loving parents when you can watch 8 kids and two train wreck parents?
David writes:
Jack, It's because we have rewarded their ill behavior with headlines and pundit jobs practically daring them to say something controversial.
Ric writes:
I think the classlessness always existed. We just get to see and hear more thanks to technology like hidden cameras, rogue mics, more bloggers and sites like YouTube.
Rodney writes:
Is anyone surprised? Have you seen the mess that is our country? Make someone a millionaire and they think they need to run for office. Not all millionaires are smart.
R. writes:
It's the people we have to pick from that have all lost any semblance of dignity. So sad.
James in Lindenhurst, New York writes:
Jack, Dignity won't get you air time on the nightly news.
George in New York writes:
Can't lose what you never had.
Tracy writes:
Who cares? Plug the damn leak.