Is it just me, or has the 2016 U.S. presidential election turned into a farce and mockery? American citizens and voters, since at least the mid-1980s, have become increasingly disappointed and angry with the trajectory of national politics.

This presidential election cycle, however, is like no other, leading traditional voters, as well as previous nonvoters, to more widely express their likes and dislikes of the candidates in a variety of forums, such as social media.

This presidential election cycle has led to a polarization not only within the political parties, but among members of the American public as well. The candidates can’t seem to help but attack and criticize one another rather than staying on point and message.

Is it absolutely necessary to first criticize the opponent before discussing your proposed agenda?

The 2016 presidential election cycle has been an interesting case study in the causes of political party realignment. What we continue to see from both the Democratic and Republican parties is a fracturing of the political base, with traditional Democratic and Republican voters supporting Hilary Clinton and a non-Donald Trump candidate and the outside, non-establishment voters supporting U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and a more seasoned GOP candidate.

Lack of political party and voter cohesiveness has led to an environment of confusion and bitter attacks, lobbied back and forth between the candidates and campaigns, and a veil of distraction, giving the candidates a free pass from presenting their substantive plan for the future of America.

There once was a time when our presidential candidates, while criticizing the opponent, did so with far more political civility, decency and professionalism. The criticisms weren’t the focal point; the presidential candidates, after any critiques, refocused their energies on how they would repair any defects the country was suffering from.

Are we seeing this in today’s presidential election? I contend we are not.

We are, instead, being exposed to a number of childish and sophomoric attacks that often bear very little direct relevance to the candidate.

I yearn for the day when our major presidential political candidates spend less time repeating the flaws of their opponent and more time discussing what they can and will offer to the American public as president.

I also look forward to the day when the nation’s media outlets treat the presidential electoral process less as an entertainment spectacle and a means of generating viewers and revenue and more as a forum in which they serve as the watchdogs journalists are called - and expected to be - by asking the tough questions and demanding answers.

A segment of American voters will rely on reports generated by the media as a means of forming their political socialization, opinions and voting habits. As such, our major media must and should provide its viewers and voters with a higher level of substantive coverage.

Our nation, its voters and its people deserve nothing but the best from the presidential candidates and those reporting on politics.