With the presidential debates on the horizon, and after being discouraged by the reality TV nature of the so-called primary debates, I suggest some ground rules for the upcoming presidential debates that will help make them substantive and civil. The moderator would actually moderate the proceedings by controlling the microphones, which will not always be open.

The moderator will:

1. Turn on a candidate’s microphone only when it is a candidate’s turn to speak.

2. Turn off the candidate’s microphone once a predetermined time limit for responses has been reached (with a warning light that indicates 30 seconds to go).

3. Turn off a candidate’s microphone if he or she engages in a personal attack on the opponent.

4. Ask questions that will lead to substantive discussion of policy and political philosophy, not invective and innuendo.

Robert Furey, Concord