We the People’s trial

Although the current political focus is the impeachment “trial” of one person, this present situation gives opportunity for accountability of many more Americans. A more accurate and accountable trial would be a trial of:

■ The American media for granting credibility and free daily coverage for the orange mistake. And for creating the acceptance of “alternative facts,” aka lies, as reality, solely for the purpose of profit and/or political manipulation.

■ The Republican Party for sacrificing any integrity by wholeheartedly endorsing and conspiring with a blatantly hateful liar.

■ The Democratic Party for its disorganization, for allowing itself to be out-strategized and out-maneuvered by far-right components of the Republican Party over the past 40 years, for failing to field candidates who capture the American imagination, and for failing to control public messaging and conversation.

■ Every state and federal legislator who acted and voted contrary to her or his fundamental sense of right conscience in pursuit of continued political power.

■ The U.S. judiciary for allowing itself to become a politically partisan entity.

■ Every white American for their lack of awareness and continuing participation in the racist pillars supporting American society.

■ The apathetic, non-voting American public for not helping to make a difference. A 95-plus percent voter turnout could create a nonviolent American revolution.

Finally, we must be fair regarding our past president. His words and actions on Jan. 6 were no more hateful, inflammatory, dishonest, or contemptuous of the Constitution than his words and actions have consistently been since before his election. Indeed, if he possesses integrity at all, it is an “integrity of consistency.”

Be honest: “We the People” only have ourselves to blame.

JAY JOHNSON

Fayetteville