While the world and our country is mired in global wars, infrastructure destruction, skyrocketing health care costs, economic downturns, geographic disasters, hunger and widespread poverty; our politicians play "gotya."

You know gotya - it is the game when one side highlights something someone did or said that proves the other side to be unelectable and villainous.The gotya item is used to embarrass, humiliate and expose the real character flaws of the competition thereby proving you rise to be superior; rising above those dastardly, onerous deeds.During the political season, gotya runs wild. Each side seeking any advantage to gain an edge and secure your vote.Never mind truth; half truths, lies, exaggerations and even threats and violence will do just fine.The role of money in gotya is to pay for ads,pay political hacks and fill your mailbox with fliers on one candidate's greatness and the other candidate's failures. Often the most money wins.The role of the voter in gotya is to be dumbed down, be uninformed, be easily sidetracked, forget the past and present, and believe in the new promises for tomorrow.Catchy sound bites are one of a politician's favorite tools.Currently, the gotya against Trump consists of what I call "gutter talk."Can I offend some readers here? Buckle up, this will hurt; but before I continue, let me first confess: I have engaged in gutter talk, will in the future, I enjoy looking at attractive women and I married a fantastic, beautiful woman. I feel guilty about none of it. (I'm irredeemable.)Honest men will admit to the same things as honest women would likewise do. Now, can we get that out of the way and move on from here?A beauty pageant by definition is just that - men and women "oohing and ahhing" about the beauty of the contestants; except in polite society we don't do it with gutter talk.There surely is a difference between "oohing and ahhing" and gutter talk. Each meant for different circumstances and times; each effective in communication and each being nice or ugly.I am not the morality police or the political correctness director; God knows I would never qualify; the question then becomes do you qualify? Now let me get to the part that hurts - we are talking the truth - right?Catholic priests have violated moral, spiritual and criminal laws for decades; they have ruined lives, violated oaths and tried to sweep their crimes under the rug. A little worse than gutter talk!Bill Clinton paid to quiet a VICTIM because of his lewd behavior. His exploits are well-documented; people's lives forever changed and the egotistical Bill Clinton defended by paid political hacks, still prances around like the prettiest pony in the herd. Want to know more - check on the Lolita Express. Hillary's role: Help sweep it under the rug. A little worse than gutter talk!John F. Kennedy had multiple female encounters and legendary White House swimming pool parties that would have been condemned by the public, had they known. A little worse than gutter talk!The difference between Bill Clinton and John Kennedy, to the best of my knowledge, was consent, or the lack thereof. Kennedy's encounters were consensual; some of Clinton's escapades lacked consent.I could validate countless other very questionable behavior by politicians, athletes, movie stars, clergy, etc. No need; I made my point other than to say we often "ooh and ahh" the successful lives they lead.So where do we draw the line?When are "oohs and ahhs" and gutter talk and questionable sexual behaviors acceptable or unacceptable?Simple, the line is drawn when you violate the law; you know the law the Justice Department and FBI equally enforce (sarcasm) - our laws protect people from predators and powerful politicians who believe they are above the law.Consent between two or more people engaging in sexual conduct is legal. Unwilling or forced behavior without consent it illegal … it is unlawful and punishable and quite frankly therein lies the difference between John Kennedy and Bill Clinton.News flash - gutter talk is not illegal, not punishable by law. Yes, punishable by public opinion and moral standards, but not the law. Thank goodness, because much of the country would be in jail. Slander is altogether different.Trump's comments are unacceptable by public moral standards; they do not fit the image we have for our president as "The Knight on the Hill." His comments disappoint, as does his belittling of handicapped people and women. Not a person I agree with on those views. But as tasteless and egregious as his comments are, they are not illegal.As disappointed as I am by the man I will vote for to be president, I strongly support his policy over his rival who every American knows is "the truth teller du jour" with a bad memory.Trump's policies for America's future are far superior to the failed policies of the Bushes, the Clintons and Obama. They have led us down a rabbit hole so deep only drastic changes give us any hope of recovery.The status quo must go - Republican and Democratic failures over and over again have financially and militarily imprisoned this once great country.Do you realize in the past 28 years that 12 have been the Bush regime, eight have been the Clinton scandals and eight have been Obama's failed legacy. Do you honestly want four or eight more years of further downturns?This is your "last chance" election to return American to the people and take it back from the Bushes, Clintons and Obama.Terry Watto of Lehighton is retired from the U.S. Navy and is a registered Independent.The foregoing opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Board or Times News LLC.