Just as every person has a different personality from the next, every politician has a different style of politicking. There are statesmen and mediators, tough talkers and hardliners. There problem-solvers and problem makers.

In the course of governing, these politicking styles can make themselves known in the discussions revolving around decision-making. In the course of governing, these elected officials absolutely should be looking out for the best interests, and acting in the best interests, of the voters they represent. Sometimes looking out for voters’ best interests can mean asking tough questions of those running a government department or outside agency that’s seeking funding from a governing board.

Tough questions are understandable. Abuse of government employees is not.

Across the board, it seems the standard of discourse of elected officials is plummeting. It’s happening on a national level; it’s happening on a local level. But when insults become the preferred method of communication, instead of listening, learning, mediating and problem solving in a civil and respectful manner, the person flinging the insults vacates his role as problem solver to become part of the problem himself.

Elected officials represent voters — all voters, not just the ones who voted for that official. This is the case regardless of where one lives, and here in The South — a place known for its good manners and courtesy — most, if not all, people who vote in Beaufort County have an expectation that the people who represent them in office behave in a civil manner to their fellow elected officials and to the employees they oversee.

Yes, politicians in office should use any tool in their arsenal to get things done. All but one, that is, because flinging insults and abuse in the course of governing is a wedge that only serves to hinder the process of governing. No politician is elected on the promise of hindering the process.