BRATTLEBORO — I am troubled by what is happening in this country I love.
Our electoral system has been under attack for some time via cyber meddling, media manipulation, voter suppression, gerrymandering, and other means.
Abraham Lincoln, a great Republican, hoped that government of the people, by the people, for the people, would not perish from the Earth. What would he say about the far-right shift of his party? And how do you think Donald Trump would reply?
Trump promised to be a uniter and not a divider. How is that working out? Since taking office, he continues to hold propaganda rallies with his power base, selling fear to his supporters. With hypnotic chants of “lock her up” or “shut them up,” he uses deep-rooted frustration of his followers.
His administration has picked cabinet members on the basis of wealth and financial connections, as well as on their expressed intent to destroy the very departments they have been appointed to run.
We have fear-based government, and a country where many people find the news too depressing to endure. Loss of civility has trickled down from the presidency. The other party is not the enemy. Neither is the press.
Help rein Trump in.
The Supreme Court's Citizens United ruling allows unknown donors to use unknown amounts of money to influence our elections and our government. We now have government of, by, and for the corporations.
How much money has the family Trump made on his presidency? Why won't he show us his tax returns? Would they reveal more deceptions and foreign involvement?
Trump claims Democrats would “eviscerate Medicare,” yet it is Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell who opposes “entitlement” programs, conveniently forgetting that we pay for Social Security.
McConnell wants to try, yet again, to repeal the Affordable Care Act and allow insurance companies to deny pre-existing conditions, such as pregnancy or chronic illness. What might his actions mean for you?
Answer with your vote.
As a Christian, I am hurt when I see people claiming Christianity while they twist themselves into pretzels defending Trump. Since when did prejudice, hate, violence, and ridicule become Christian characteristics? When dictators became people to adore?
The Saudis claim that a U.S. resident, Jamal Khashoggi, died accidentally when they tried to convince him to return home. When did the process of convincing someone include a bone saw? Get real.
Do you buy that? Trump did. What did he sell to the Saudis besides jet fighters? America's soul?
We must not base our votes on the rantings of a troubled mind. We must work together to reform a perfect union by taking our country back, electing people with responsible plans to deal with complex problems.
We need to educate ourselves on the issues, then vote wisely. Our way of life depends on it.