To the Editor:

I recently heard someone refer to Western North Carolina as a political backwater, populated with paranoid conspiracy theorists. I disagree. I have talked to many well-informed local people who are capable of critical, independent thinking. But I also hear from many good, intelligent, hard-working people who do not have the time to properly educate themselves on local and national political issues. Between working endless hours to earn enough money to raise a family, seeing to church responsibilities, and just trying to stay healthy, these folks just do not have the time to pay much attention to the real issues facing this community and nation. 

Now, I try to see the good intentions in the endeavors of all people. I assume that our political leaders are working in the best interest of the people they represent. Just like you and I would. I assume that the vast majority of the people working the local, state, and federal governments are good honest people, professionals who take pride in their work. Just like you and me. Politics is something they mostly think about during election season, but they are otherwise just heads down working just like you and me.

So why have some started to look for the evil in the ranks of these hardworking fellow citizens? Conspiracy theories that malign the professionals in organizations such as the FBI, the DOJ, the CIA, the NSA and others fly in the face of common sense. These are hard-working and dedicated people doing the best they can at their work. Just like you and me. These fellow citizens have been toiling tirelessly and diligently for decades defending America ideals. Why would large swaths of these Americans suddenly decide to subvert our Democracy after decades protecting our country from outside attacks and internal subversion? Consider the concept that thousands of government workers sabotaging their own organizations. Where are the voices of the tens of thousands of fellow workers, who would be calling out this alleged widespread corruption? Like you and I would. 

We as a nation have many serious challenges. Drug addition, millions without healthcare, a refugee system bursting at the seams, persistent poverty especially in Appalachia and our inner cities, stagnant wages. Western North Carolina shares all these problems with the rest of our country. Can we please stop conjuring up visions of secret cabals of fellow Americans subverting the good work we expect from our government employees and focus on the real problems facing our country.

John Barry

Franklin