I always enjoy reading Barry & Gary Reid’s take on the current climate in our political world. That being said, the current state in which we are living in isn’t the America I remember growing up in. Not only are we experiencing a racial divide in this country, but also a class divide where we no longer see a thriving middle class flourish.

Instead of a main street capitalism which benefits more Americans, we have a Wall Street or corporate capitalism which benefits the elite or a smaller amount of Americans. Stock values and prices are now decided by computer algorithms, not by the actual net worth of a public corporation.

As far as politics go, I remember both parties working together for the better good of the people. Somewhere around the end of the last century or the beginning of this century, the parties decided to act more like a huge corporation instead of a governing body that provides for its citizens. The polarization of our political parties and the media have created a rise of extreme hatred and anger in many lives throughout America. This is creating a great deal of wealth in our political parties, unless of course you are an independent that receives a very small fraction of distributed money. Don’t be fooled, this is exactly what both parties want.....a DIVIDED America.

Hopefully most Americans can see that both parties are dangerous to prosperity in the general population. Nowhere in our Constitution does it mention Democrat or Republican, but we are forced to decide by voting for the lesser of two evils, at least that is what they hope we believe. Like many of you, I was raised in a Christian family, and we were taught that we only had one true enemy.

Understanding and supporting other peoples ideas and differences are what made this country great, not being at each others throat because they have a different belief or lifestyle. Our principles should be to help, love and respect others, that’s what separates mankind from all other species on this planet.

Regardless of our race, class, religion, or sexual orientation, Americans can decide to rise above this form of repression. As the Italian theologian Thomas Aquinas said many centuries ago, “Happiness is secured through virtue; it is a good attained by man’s own will.”

Sincerely,

Mike Atchley

Kingfisher