Save our democracy

I was born in 1933, just days before Franklin D. Roosevelt was inaugurated as president. Most agree he did a good job of leading us out of the Great Depression and overseeing our victory in World War II.

In the 1950s, I supported Republican Dwight Eisenhower, who led us through the Cold War — where I served as a USAF fighter pilot. Having lived through the terms of 14 different presidents (I mistrusted Nixon’s honesty and Reagan’s competence) I believe most did a decent job.

But now we have a president, seeking re-election, who not only is the least prepared but also the most immoral, egotistical and incompetent president to serve in my time.

His unwillingness to confront the greatest pandemic in our history has resulted in more than 222 thousand American deaths. His failures include inhumane handling of immigration, concealing and lying about his taxes, encouraging violent militias, denying climate change, ignoring police brutality and racial injustice and cozying up to dictators (Putin and Kim Jong Un of North Korea)

And now he is rushing to have a hand-picked Supreme Court nominee confirmed by the Senate two weeks before a national election.

What we can and must do now to save our democracy and restore our nation’s dignity is vote for Joe Biden for president and Kamala Harris for vice president on Nov. 3

James Ramsey

Sandpoint