I am e-mailing my Brazilian friend concerning the state of  U. S. politics. She’s lived here for over 25 years and is a U.S. citizen. Her 15-year-old son was born here, but the family has strong ties to Brazil. They visit there annually and sometimes more frequently, and relatives come here often.

Referring to her son, she writes, “Joe is so confused. He thought that bad politicians only lived in Brazil, not here. It is a reality shock for him and he gets depressed about it.  He loves this country so much.”

I am not sure what Joe meant by “bad politicians,” except from a 15-year-old perspective, watching the debates, the accusations and, recently in Florida, the constant TV harangues  and robocalls, it might be really difficult to claw through all that rubble  and arrive at a rational assessment  of each candidate. So here’s how I responded to my friend’s email:

“Tell Joe that this spectacle is what makes America great! The fact that these candidates can get up there and say whatever they want – and then actually be fact-checked, as they are by the media, and also the fact that the general hubbub of excitement exists without violence or muzzling  –  is the genius of our country.

And warn him that the political front will become even more bizarre when a candidate is actually selected, as we observe the rejected ones rallying to support the chosen one. It’s a good show. This is how it works , with many flaws that, hopefully, will  get fixed, eventually.

Remind him that things do get fixed here. Women got the vote. African Americans gained civil rights.  Gays are accepted in the military and, sooner or later, we’ll reform our tax code, as well as the electoral college system, our immigration policy, and the series of entitlements that no longer work for the good of the many. Perhaps, we will reform the way political campaigns are financed. Joe will be witness to all of that, and might even want to become proactive in the implementation of one or more of those reforms to the system.

We work slowly for change here because we have extremes of opinion and philosophy, and we encourage articulation of many viewpoints even as we manage to live peacefully together despite vast differences.

And you might also mention to Joe that the kind of circus we are witnessing during this primary season has brought politics and issues to the national forefront in a way that previous sleepy primaries have not done. Therefore, there is considerably more interest generated among young people and the population in general. Of course, this is a good thing. And give him a hug for me. I’m thrilled to know that he is engaging in the process, as every citizen should be doing.”