To the Editor-

“They should either get with the program or they can go.”

That’s what Trump had to say, through his press secretary, about career professionals in the State Department who dared to voice concerns about his immigration and travel ban. Just let that sink in. This administration is stating, in no uncertain terms, that views that do not support Trump’s and Bannon’s preconceived notions are not welcome, and will be ignored.

Let that sink in a little further. The normal process of policy-making, which involves gathering evidence, requesting analysis from those with expertise in the relevant areas, listening to the range of options that results from that
analysis, and then making decisions based on a good-faith judgement of the merits of those options, is no longer in place. It’s now, “Agree with us, or shut up. Toe the party line, or leave. The Dear Leader is always right.”

Under any circumstances, this would be frightening, something we expect in places like North Korea, not in the United States. Under a narcissistic president with no governmental, foreign policy, or military experience,
surrounded by a sycophantic crowd of conspiracy theorists, Islamophobes, and religious fanatics, it is a recipe for catastrophe.

You voted for him? You own this. Having second thoughts? Feeling buyer’s remorse? You should be.

It’s time to speak up, loudly and clearly, to tell him that we will not allow him to sacrifice our democracy, and our human values, on the altar of his ego.

Jim Carpenter
Village of Plover