LETTER TO THE EDITOR

To the Editor:

Prior to and at the start of the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783) and up to the present time, our country has experienced upheavals that shook the very foundation of our constitutional republic (e.g., the American Civil War) that left lasting scars on our country’s history and people (e.g., slavery, civil rights), but through much pain and anguish, our democracy has survived and will continue to be vibrant if the people of our country want it to be.

Today’s threat to our democracy is authoritarianism centered in the White House and Congress. We have a president, his cabinet, and several heads of government agencies that have taken upon themselves the power and authority as autocrats. And we have a political party, Republican, who are complicit with these people in tearing apart the very framework and traditions of the American way of life. Now is the time to reassert the foundational principle of a democracy: the separation of powers between the executive, the legislative, and the judicial, and listen to the outcry of Americans against the present administration!

The Founding Fathers of our constitution “believed that individual citizens have a responsibility to think for themselves, mastering their own passions, resisting group think, and taking the time for sober second thoughts…” (Jeffrey Rosen, The Pursuit of Happiness, p. 174). The founders believed this, and it is time for all Americans to believe this!

As regards to Amendment 5 (due process) of our Constitution, Donald Trump availed himself of this right during his many lawsuits and court appearances. He is a felon. All people in our country have this right. Those who have been deported to El Salvador were deprived of due process, and those about to be deported must be given this right. So do not believe Trump or his attorney general that they have the right to deport people without due process. They do not!

A final note: During this Easter season, many who call themselves “Christian” and support the presidency of Donald Trump may want to pause and reconsider the ramifications of such a decision. The moral teachings of the New Testament Gospels leave no doubt regarding who to believe and who teaches the truth.

Now Donald Trump has said in the past, don’t believe your eyes and ears; believe what I say. One cannot have a double standard of belief if you are a true Christian. You can’t believe Donald Trump and say you are a follower of the one in the Gospels; that is like mixing oil with water, truth with lies, and righteousness with unrighteousness. One is immoral and one is good.

Reread the parable of the sheep and the goats in the Gospel of Matthew. Do you think, at this time in history, Donald Trump is on the right or on the left? I hear the bleating of a goat! And are you, Christian, certain that you will be on the right?

Edwin Lefevre Monessen