“If there are no great tigers in the mountains, even a monkey can become king.” — Chinese proverb
In the recent GOP debate of presidential hopefuls, I could not imagine any of the candidates in the White House. Recent polls show Americans losing faith in our government because they feel the government is out of touch with their needs.
The country is deeply divided along partisan lines with 50% of the public thinking our democracy is too wrapped up in red tape to solve America’s problems. I think that is due to a lack of effective leadership.
Once people lose faith in democratic institutions and their fellow citizens, they may succumb to the influence of libertarian rabble rousers.
GOP politicians today claim to love America, but are quick to disparage groups of people with fear and loathing. They place blame on them for the frustrations people feel, They propose unconstitutional remedies while promising a return to an idyllic past that never was.
GOP voters today seem willing to accept a more autocratic form of government.
When Asa Hutchinson stood up for the Constitution regarding a candidate’s eligibility for office, he was roundly booed in the debate. If we go along with the gerrymandering and restrictive eligibility legislation in many states, we will lose our free and fair elections. If we take our revered freedoms for granted we will find them slipping away.
The GOP candidates are not very impressive. They should lead, follow or get out of the way.
Don Hiddleson, Millcreek
