Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could watch a debate and learn more about the nuanced ideas that the candidates have regarding their policies and what they see as America’s greatest challenges?

Unfortunately, that is not what we’ve seen while watching recent presidential debates, at least not during the last three presidential cycles.

There is a place for reality TV shows, where the arguing is the point, a place for shows like “Dr. Phil,” where the drama is why we tune in. Presidential debates, however, should be about helping us to better understand how the candidates view their potential role. The candidates should be serious and proud of their grasp of the concepts and leadership abilities. I’m pretty sure that the number one crisis that everybody is facing today, America included, is climate change. It’s disgusting that this topic gets barely a mention during debates and that, in this most recent one, immigrants eating people’s pets is touted as our most dire emergency.

We should applaud a group of moderators that hold the candidates to the probing questions and call them out on their lies. As voters, we should demand a serious and thoughtful approach from the candidates who seek to hold the highest position in our country.

Brian Davis
Scarborough