I’ve lived through 22 presidential elections and I have never been as scared as I am now. I thought January 6 was the worst thing I had seen in my lifetime. Then I saw the pardoning of the people who attacked the three symbols that stand for the United States of America — our flag, the Statue of Liberty and the building where we enact the laws that defend our constitution. Especially the police trying to protect our democracy. What happened to law and order? Why would you pardon the culprits that attacked our cops? And finally, a president who sides with Russia over and over. Something is very wrong here.

Our foundations are being destroyed one by one. Where are the checks and balances? Judicial, executive and legislative? All slowly being controlled by two people. They are about to control all three. Tell me who runs the executive. Who controls the legislative? Who controls the judicial?

Social media has also become a huge problem. Many falsehoods. What we have come to believe is not what I think this is what all of us stand for. Ask for verification. Show me critical thinking. Show me a check that was cashed for a 150-year-old person. Show me the proof of corrupt and wasteful spending. We all want to stop that, not just being told how much we are saving. Show the proof! I would hope we all believe in a democracy. I believe this is the crisis of my lifetime.

Chuck Peterson

Baker City