To the Editor:

Tried to take a nap but couldn’t get my mind off of some of the enormous problems we face. Not the least of which is where we find ourselves in terms of foreign affairs and foreign aid. 

We have managed to alienate any and all allies we ever had (seems like we did it on purpose). We are no longer the superpower that has helped keep peace through strength for decades. Foreign aid continues to flow to many countries that have resources to sustain their economies if the trade dollars they receive weren’t stolen by their politicians. The only foreign aid that should leave this country must be agricultural products or medical supplies.

I used to write to Sen. Jesse Helms and suggest (tongue in cheek) that instead of giving foreign aid we teach the other countries how to go into debt like we do. Why give arms to the oil rich countries that have held us hostage for their oil. Let them buy arms if they want them.

Then there is the president we elected without knowing anything about him. He will not only continue to act around Congress, but he will accelerate his efforts for the next 17 months. The Republican-led states should form a compact and agree to act together by appointing a single strong individual to represent the compact to the president. 

That individual should inform the president that the states he represents are willing and capable of seceding from the country and forming a new country based on the original Constitution. The Congressional States of America would not allow any more tax dollars flow to Washington, and all federal facilities would be closed at once and the employees put on unpaid leave.

A president would be elected for the new country and a legislature as described by the founders. The new country should demand to be paid the base funding value of the social security annuity for all residents of the states involved plus the base value of the funding to sustain Medicare for the citizens of these states. 

Bruce Gardner

Waynesville