To the Editor:
“The strength of American government is based on three things: a President that is truthful with the people and who can be counted upon to keep his word, a Congress that ensures that the president follows the law and insists that it controls the spending of all our hard-earned taxpayer dollars, and a Supreme Court whose rulings are fair and just, assuring no man or woman is above the law or favored by the law.
“All these conditions no longer exist in Trumpland. Any wonder why the entire world now views America as a weak, foolish and erratic nation no longer worthy of being trusted to lead the world to a better future?”
I don’t know who authored this statement, but I quote it because it is true.
“To achieve functioning governments within democratic societies requires ethical participation of all its citizens. We ‘subjects’ are entrusted with the indispensable task of choosing equally righteous leaders.”
Ask yourself: Is this person able to move people to action that is aimed at the good of the entire community or is that effort only enhancing the power and glorification of the person himself? This differentiates a statesman from a demagogue and it’s imperative we discern the difference.
It is also vital that citizens know the distinction between “politics” (the art of guiding people well) and “partisanship” (the art of gaining and controlling power).
Again, ask yourself: Am I concerned with serving the community and guided by its well-being, or am I concerned only with benefitting my party and indifferent to the comfort and prosperity of the community?
Take care also not to confuse politics with “PC.” Political Correctness is a doctrine fostered by a delusional and illogical minority promoting and cultivating the preposterous notion that it’s possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.
Today’s turbulent environment does not render politics easily recognizable (in its root meaning), concern for the community. Polis, the Greek word for “city,” in other times meant the pursuit of politics was considered a “noble activity.”
Understanding how good government works and our place in it exposes our present dilemma, the burden of a leader who is the living image of an unprincipled despot for whom Congress’s impeachment clause was designed. If this president’s violations of affirmed rules of law, the Constitution, his oath, and defiance of Congress, are not impeachable offenses, nothing is.
The Supreme Court’s carte blanche gift of immunity from prosecution for breaking any law, code or rule this president chooses will result in the permanent alteration of the balance of power among the branches of government and the ultimate collapse of the United States.
This administration has embarrassed and disgraced America before the world, put our military in peril unnecessarily and (wittingly or unwittingly) alienated our allies and united our adversaries. It has murdered innocent men, women and children at home and abroad as much of America watches in silence, our grand achievements dumped on the ash heap of history.
David L. Snell
Franklin