The US: in guns we trust

Dear Editor: Neighbours empathize but are puzzled by the U.S. rapid decay of its leadership confirmed by the tragic Alexandria mass shooting. How did it come to this? The U.S. citizens simply voted to better their lives. Many reasons will be offered. Americans have developed a culture of violence particularly since the beginning of the non-ending Iraq Desert Storm War compounded by its domestic gun laws and the election of America’s first black U.S. president.

Leadership rhetoric became more disrespectful and insulting.

When President Barack Obama took office he faced the Great Recession, two wars, gulf oil spill, mass domestic shootings and a hostile Republican opposition.

Republican white Congressional leader Mitch McConnell stated they first had to get rid of Obama.

McConnell, the obstructionist thus became the Father of the Great American Schism (Divide) of today.

To the end of his term President Obama exercised his office with great dignity,courage, humility, honesty and integrity. He was one of America’s finest sons.

Trump succeeded President Obama to the office of the presidency by way of the electoral college and minority vote.

Trump’s campaign and time in office is one of unprecedented scandal, unpredictable behaviour and vitriolic rhetoric that questions his sanity which in turn is destabilizing America and is a danger to the world order.

For example, Trump voiced his great friendship with Saudi Arabia selling them billions in arms. Trump, not friendly with tiny Qatar which hosts a huge U.S. military base, but sells them billions in jet fighters. Saudis, Trump, not friendly with Qatar or Iran. Qatar friendly with Iran. Qatar to be Iran’s air force.

Similarly is the Canadian proposed billion dollar purchase of U.S. fighter jets to make Canada a surrogate of the U.S. military. Terrorists have no air force or perhaps is it a dormant World War II mentality is resurrecting?

Trump to conjure up new Middle East war to remove focus from his White House problems. Why all the armaments?

Did hostile, vitriolic rhetoric push the shooter of the Republican politicians in Alexandria over the edge, possibly forewarning of more to follow especially from Trump’s hard core supporters should Trump be removed from the U.S. presidency?

Has the dignity and civility symbolized by America’s Statue of Liberty been replaced by the huge super bomb standing on end topped with an AK assault weapon resting across its peak with the inscribed sign, “In guns we trust!”

Has God been filibustered and now deemed irrelevant? Joe Schwarz

Penticton