This column reflects the opinion of the writer. Learn about the differences between a news story and an opinion column.
U.S. citizens are the problem
Donald Trump isn’t what’s wrong with our country. Donald Trump is just a symptom of the disease that infects us. He is like a rash. He is the cosmic equivalent of naval lint.
No, fellow citizens, we need to look much closer to home to discover the root cause of our troubles. You and I, we are what is wrong with America.
If you say “I voted for President Trump because the alternative was worse,” I call that a cop-out. It’s the coward’s choice. There were at least half a dozen alternatives on the ballot to either Mr. Trump or Secretary Clinton. If you cast a vote for Donald Trump and you look in the mirror every morning and are not disgusted with what you see, then you have been lying to yourself for a lot longer than the three years since the election.
I, personally, take responsibility for not doing enough to convince my fellow Americans to take their role as citizens as seriously as they ought to given what is at stake. Our form of government requires the thoughtful, informed, participation of its citizenry, and what I see is a nation that comes up short!
John H. Gaines
Spokane