Hope it’s no fairy tale

Once upon a time, a nation founded on liberty and justice for all was rocked to its core. A man that promoted misogyny, racism, and xenophobia became president. People across the land were alarmed as he took office. As days and months went by, their worst fears were realized. Each day, they would say, “It can’t get worse than this.” Then it did.

This president cared more about himself than upholding the Constitution and the interests of the people. He made misleading statements and flat-out lies. He insulted allies and took the word of dictators rather than national security experts. He ordered babies to be taken from their parents and showed no compassion for lives lost and ruined by a deadly virus.

He fired experienced, dedicated diplomats and generals, and his erratic behavior diminished the nation’s standing in the world. He fired scientists and other experts who spoke truth, and chose agency heads not for their expertise but their fealty to him. He was impeached for trying to extort a foreign president but, as a further insult to democracy, his enablers acquitted him of charges of abuse of power and obstruction of justice.

Disregard for the rule of law and lack of compassion defined this man who would to be king.

Hope dawned in 2020. Even members of this man’s own party spoke out against his abuse of power, callousness, lying, and divisiveness. They saw America’s values (family, a strong economy, honesty, decency, promoter of democracy globally) shredded by this imposter and his sycophants. Even in “red” states, people voted in droves against this president and his enablers. They saved our democracy. TERI PATRICK Little Rock