To the Editor:

The first time I heard Obama speak, my first thought was that he was a brilliant orator and a truly decent human being.

When he campaigned for the presidency, this was proven to be true time and again. Every time I saw or heard him, that basic human decency came shining through.

As the campaign progressed, I realized all of the bonuses we were getting as well, a man who came with all kinds of attributes: intelligence, charm, eloquence, grace, empathy – along with a rapier wit and a wicked sense of humor.

But all of those traits were just icing on the cake. I would have voted for him based on his sense of decency alone.

The most egregious thing about Trump in the White House is that we wound up with a man with none of the above virtues, skills, or talents. And on top of that lack of a single trait worth admiring – or even worth noting – he is totally devoid of decency.

The day the Obamas shut the lights off at the White House, the whole country went dark.

I am confident that the lights will come on again. But in the meantime, it stings to sit here in the dark and remember what we once had, and what our country has lost.

Jody Hurrish
Stevens Point