Column: Liberty, equality, diversity and unity

The United States was founded on the values of liberty, equality, diversity, and unity. As Americans, we should work to promote these values every day. As I travel around Central Washington, I see these values reflected in our communities when farmers come together to help an ailing neighbor harvest his crop or through the many rich cultural contributions of our Latino friends and neighbors. Our sense of inclusion and companionship is one of the reasons I am so proud to hail from Central Washington.

Unfortunately, our nation is experiencing a dangerously stark polarization of rhetoric and beha...