We are becoming a Third World nation

Dear Editor: The circus is back in town, but it’s not here. It’s in Washington. The Big Tent is up and Congress is lining up to buy their tickets. It’s the usual three-ring circus with the Democrats in one ring and the Republicans in the other. The third ring is the main act, this time being the Russian bear sparring with the American eagle. Seems like the bear got caught doing something wrong.

But the circus isn’t something new. There have been many previous acts that Congress has been caught up in. We had the Impeachment of Bill Clinton Act, the Benghazi Act, the FBI Comey Act, and quite a few side shows. In a way, it helps Americans keep their minds off more pressing problems. This way, people have more time to play with their silly tech toys. Now, this Russia thing. It’s very bad. But, actually, since 1946 the Russians and Americans have been involved with 116 elections throughout the world. Some of this has been through bribery, some through assassinations, poisonings, etc. This is what big countries do. It’s not nice to do, but sometimes you have to do things that are not pleasant. Franklin Roosevelt cozied up to Joseph Stalin in World War II because we needed an ally to keep fighting on the Eastern Front against the Axis. Uncle Joe agreed, knowing the cost would be a million men and, in return, he would get the Balkans.

So while we focus on the Russia thing, Americans are struggling with their health plans, people are being tortured on an antiquated transit system just trying to get to work. The country is split into two warring camps where even families are afraid to talk about it anymore. We are becoming a Third World country. If this is the fruit of democracy, all I can say is God help us.

C. Michael Bufi, Germantown