No longer proud
When I was a child growing up during World War II, I was so proud to be an American. We were the good guys, all working together to save the world from an evil autocrat. Everyone pitched in. Even my siblings and I spent our Saturdays collecting scrap metal and aluminum gum wrappers for the war effort.
We felt so strongly that we were in the right. We saw our politicians — our president, our senators, our congressmen — as dignified, principled, well-meaning individuals (sort of in the mold of Atticus Finch) who, despite their differences, were still striving toward a common goal: victory.
How different our country is today: a populous at war with itself; a president who is a convicted felon, a grifter and, worst of all, an Adolf Hitler wannabe; a Congress, many of whose members are buffoons or spineless opportunists worried only about getting reelected; an ethically challenged Supreme Court; and an unsavory assortment of oligarchs bent on changing our government for their own benefit.
At 86, I probably won’t live long enough to see all the effects of the 2024 election on our once-great nation. But I worry for my descendants, and for yours.
Sharon Taylor
Lewiston
