July 21, 2018
Dear editor;
Have you been duped by Donald Trump and his state media? No? Well, congratulations. Me neither. Is that proper English? I’m not sure if it would or wouldn’t be, but let’s move on.
Are you willing to compromise your values in order to align with Trump? Me neither.
You know the difference between right and wrong, don’t you? Of course you do. Me too.
Do you believe that Russian president Vladimir Putin attacked and messed with America’s democracy by meddling in our presidential election in 2016 and that Putin is continuing to cyber-attack our upcoming congressional elections in November 2018, with Trump’s complete approval to do whatever Putin wants? Me too.
Do you think that Trump threw America under the bus when he met with Putin one-on-one in Helsinki Monday, July 16, with no preparation, no other Americans with him, no recording of the proceedings and ex-KGB Putin on the other hand already implementing what he said Trump agreed to? Trump has yet to share with our intelligence community what transpired in that closed-door-meeting. Furthermore, he has invited Putin to the White House and ignores the fact that Putin is our enemy, not soon to be BFF. Do you think that Trump is bending over backwards, for whatever reason, to appease Putin? Me too.
Do you think that Trump is doing everything he can to attack our allies in word and deed (working diligently to dismantle NATO, increasing tariffs to our allies) while at the same time heaping praise on those who hate democracy such as Putin in Russia and other autocrats, while disrespecting and maligning our allies? Me too.
Those of us who have not been duped by Trump’s poisonous elixir, a substance capable of changing metals into gold, that’s making somewhat of metaphor, need to stand together against Trump’s dangerous rhetoric and attitude towards democracy and the U.S. Constitution.
You see, democracy is not just being attacked in America, but all over the world already. Are you asleep or are you awake to it? Are you willing to fight for democracy? Are you willing to stand up and be counted? I’m awake and I’m ready to fight. I hope you’ll join me.
Our best defense is to vote! Be sure you’re registered and haven’t been thrown off the rolls, get your friends registered, and encourage them to vote early. Pay attention, register, vote in November!
Judy Siedlecki
Oswego
