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To the editor:

Our nation is so divided today that it is almost impossible to determine what direction we’re heading. Our Congress is so corrupted and unstable that the general public has lost all trust or confidence in them to act in the best interest of our country. We have congressional committees investigating the investigators, our President has shown to be so unpredictable and unable to lead this nation out of this crisis.

We have become so wrapped up in partisan politics that we have lost our way in not being able to work together for the best interest of the country. Regardless of what comes up in Congress; party politics rules the outcome. There is no effort to compromise and work together for the best solution.

The major news networks have become so politically biased in favor of one particular party, that is difficult to determine just exactly what the truth really is.

We have become a “me” generation. We want everything for ourselves today without any consideration for others. We think we have the “right” to do most anything without any consequences. Common sense seems to have disappeared.

I get very angry watching people protest a given subject when they have done absolutely nothing to remove the cause.

There are so many sports figures and celebrities in the country today that show little patriotism for our great nation. They refuse to take the proper stance when our National Anthem is played or the Pledge of Allegiance is recited. Respect for our flag is expected from everyone.

These objectors should visit Walter Reed Hospital and see the sacrifices our service men and women have made or walk through Arlington National Cemetery. Go to the Vietnam Memorial and see the hundreds and thousands of young men who gave their all so you can have the opportunity to play a game and be paid millions of dollars without any consequences or contribution to our country. Today, there are more than 240,000 service men and women deployed throughout the world to protect you and the rest of us. So think again when you have the opportunity to salute the flag.

Our President has declared that huge tracts of lands that encompass national parks in Utah, Montana and Nevada to be opened to commercial development. Within these parks are located some of the most scenic and beautiful rock formations unseen anywhere else in the world. Past presidents have had the foresight to declare these lands as national parks so this generation and those of the future could enjoy their beauty. If you have been fortunate enough to have seen them, you know exactly what I am talking about. Can you imagine what they would look like after drilling, mining, and logging takes place? Their beauty would be utterly destroyed forever. Hopefully, there are sensible members left in Congress with enough foresight and courage to vote quickly to rescind this order immediately.

No, the country we live in today is not the same as it was when I grew up during the latter part of the “Depression” and war years. In those years and for a long period thereafter, neighbors respected each other, worked together, trusted our government to work in our best interest. Political parties had their differences, but we were confident of the end result.

Even with all the problems we have in this country today, I would not want to live anywhere else. We have seen good times and we can again if we work together and elect leaders who will put petty politics aside and work for the best interest of all.

I want to be an optimist, so I am going to make my New Year’s wish early. I hope our President will act presidential and show leadership that is expected, that Congress will cease these foolish and time-wasting investigations and get on with the business of the country. With Congress and the President working together with other world leaders, then just maybe we could regain the respect and acceptance as leaders of the free world.

I can only do my part and hope.

John Caudle,     Farmington