Letter to the Editor - The enemy

Editor,

The once well-known comic strip hero Pogo wisely proclaimed, “We have met the enemy and he is us.” This wisdom is an appropriate description of today’s American society.

Among the millions of independent, Democratic, and Republican voters there are millions of hardworking, honest, patriotic, and loyal Americans.

Unfortunately, there are also some bad people in each group. It is also true that the overwhelming majority of local, state, and federal elected officials are dedicated, competent and skilled negotiators and compromisers. They create legislation that successfully serves their constituents and the nation. Shamefully, a few of these officials are bad guys.

Who are the bad guys? They are people who hate. They are racist. They are voters and elected officials who are complacent, try to downplay, or condone violence. Some bad guys conspire, initiate, or actively participate in violence. The bad guys also include extremists who place party loyalty ahead of their constituents. For these extremists, the welfare of American society and our rights as set forth in the constitution, hold a distant second place. However, by far the most dangerous of these bad guys are those who disseminate lies and misinformation for their political or economic advantage.

People from all political parties who foment hate, practice racism, advocate and participate in violence, and are politically extreme ideologues are enemies of our constitutional democracy and the American way of life.

With all of its many shortcomings and faults, the two party political system served our American democracy well. Individuals or groups that want to replace that system are a danger to themselves and all the rest of us.

We need to maintain our democracy by identifying and electing more good guys and fewer bad guys from all political parties. Democrats, Republicans, and other parties have available candidates who are capable, honest, and dedicated good guys.

If we continue to elect bad guys, Pogo is right. We are our own enemy. When we can identify and elect good guys and rejecting bad guys, the enemy will no longer be us.

Pat Tierney

Havre