Dear Editor: As the federal election is drawing near, I feel compelled to make a case for taking a long look at what is at stake.
It seems to me that the state of the economy is a driving force for many voters. I believe that the state of the economy, while important, is one of a multitude of factors that should concern us as voters.
Clearly many people feel the pinch of rising prices and an uncertain future. Even if the economy stabilizes, the administration has done grave damage to our country in more ways than I can count, much less comprehend.
He has undermined our faith in our electoral process, something that no one even considered previously and only when he lost and with no evidence to support his claims. Consider the Center for Disease Control, which was held in great esteem throughout the world for its credible and groundbreaking research, but is now in shambles.
The National Park Service managed a grand and spectacular park system that now struggles to keep bathroom facilities functioning and is considering building a ball park at the Grand Canyon. The Justice Department was independent and dedicated in their pursuit of justice for all but now seems to only investigate those who irk the president. The Environmental Protection Agency does little to protect our environment, in fact it seems bent on trashing the environment. Detailing problems in the Department of Defense and Customs and Immigration, based on reports from multiple credible sources, would require more space than this newspaper can handle. And on it goes, the administration is destroying each and every governmental agency. Its predilection to appoint incompetent officials who answer only to the president, not the people, is well established. Long-term staff members, many of whom were dedicated professionals, were terminated or left, replaced by loyalists or cronies.
And then there is the question of profiting from office and conflicts of interest, which again should be enormous concerns. Any one of these issues would tank most prior administrations.
I urge the reader to step back, breathe and think about your vote. Winston Churchill was credited with having said, democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others. Our government was designed to be ponderous, compromising, fair, beneficent and to promote justice for all, even noncitizens.
When you vote, think about whether you are continuing to support a disrespectful, possibly corrupt, and clearly an incompetent regime or you want to send a message that enough is enough.
Charles P. Morgan, Sitka
