Americans need to unite

We are allowing the latest gaggle of political candidates to lie and name-call like pre-adolescent children, instead of demanding that they offer real solutions to our nation’s needs. They need to address our failing infrastructure, war and nation-building, climate change, dysfunctional government and more.

We have allowed ourselves to devolve into virulent fractions whose mantras could be “My way or the highway” or “Burn the government down and start over.” In the past, political and religious opportunists have used suspicion, fear and hatred to dupe the people into supporting their quests for power.

Muslims have become the latest in a long line politically motivated scapegoats that we are asked to suspect, fear and hate. Scapegoating of Jews, Asians, Native Americans, Mexicans, Africans, Germans, Irish and different religious groups have led to their unjust persecution, confinement and horrendous deaths.

“E pluribus unum” means “Out of the many, one;” many ethnic, political, philosophical and religious groups in one powerful and free nation. Every American should want to feel part of our community, state and nation. Let us come together to protect the liberty of all Americans. Otherwise, who will who protect you when hate, fear and suspicion fall on you?

James Lanham

Cheney