Influence on elections

Can President Donald Trump actually be right on something? When it comes to influencing elections, we may have attempted to do so as much as the Russians. A recent MSNBC investigation shows that our many spy agencies have attempted to influence elections in other countries 81 times. In addition, MSNBC alleges that on 24 occasions we also distributed bags of cash in an apparent attempt at bribery.

Perhaps that’s what Trump meant months ago when he remarked, in regard to a question on Russia’s influence, that we ourselves aren’t so innocent.

Russia’s Vladimir Putin has on several occasions said that Hillary Clinton, while serving as secretary of state, attempted to influence his election. Perhaps that’s why he apparently wanted her beat.

I believe both our country and Russia have enough problems without bringing on more by attempting to influence elections in other countries. The two nations spend billions spying on both friends and enemies. We have allegedly been caught spying not only on Russia but also on friends Britain and Germany. Is it too much to hope we can trust our friends enough to not spy on them? As to Russia, it will continue to spy on us as long as we do likewise.

As the late president Ronald Reagan said, “trust but verify.” I suppose some would say spying is a form of verification.

VERNON McDANIEL Ozark