As graduates of West Point and veteran Army officers, we know for a fact oaths have real meaning. When they do not, we are in trouble.
As Army veterans, and West Point graduates, we want to encourage every citizen to celebrate our nation’s independence by registering and committing to vote, and to actively encourage others among your family and friends to do the same.
Voting to elect government officials at the local, state and federal level is one of the most fundamental, patriotic duties of every citizen.
The privilege to vote requires an informed citizenry to ensure elected officials are qualified and held accountable to perform their duties. With this in mind, there are three areas of grave concern with regard to the current president of the United States we wish to share:
1. Allowing Russia to place bounties on U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan with zero response or consequences is tantamount to treason and is disqualifying for anyone serving as commander in chief of our armed forces.
2. An inept and disjointed federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic has directly led to over 125,000 dead, 2.6 million known infected and a curve that is trending in the wrong direction, while other nations around the world are effectively handling the pandemic. This has severely impacted our economy, military readiness, status among nations and our national psyche.
3. Finally, a president that is not on the side of all its citizens is a threat to the country. The recently tweeted a video thanking a supporter shouting “white power” follows a long line of racist and inflammatory tweets and remarks against minority groups that started with his announcement to run for president and is only getting worse. These are purposefully meant to divide, rather than unite, our great nation that gets its strength as the melting pot of the world.
The United States has a proud history of leading the world during global crises be it to stop the spread of fascism; cure debilitating diseases; or the ongoing, yet painfully slow, movement for equality of all races, genders, religions, sexuality and nationalities. The abdication of this role by this current administration comes at a time when the country and the world need us most to lead. If not us, then whom?
Like the president, we swore an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. This president has shown little regard for that oath. He repeatedly insults our allies while cozying up to dictators and adversaries. Maybe worse, he shows little regard for the health and safety of his constituents.
His actions, or lack thereof, have weakened and continue to weaken our nation, domestically and internationally. The future depends on a strong and stable United States where oaths and commitments are kept. We, as citizens, have the power to affect change and an obligation to vote to make change happen.
Please register to vote today, then exercise that right to vote on Nov. 3.
Donna McAleer
Diane Bracey
Kent Cheeseman
Donna Matturro McAleer, Park City, Diane Bracey, Park City, and Kent Cheeseman, Salt Lake City, are graduates of the United States Military Academy at West Point and veteran Army officers.
