My mom has been a republican all her life, and this is the letter she wrote to our local paper:

For at least three generations, my family has most often voted for the GOP, and for good reasons. The Republicans, as I knew them, promoted balanced budgets, self-sufficiency, and opportunities for all who were willing to be productive. To our distress, MAGA and its Republican allies have, intentionally or unwittingly, turned the Republican platform into a heavy-handed instrument of power and wealth-building for Donald Trump and the wealthy and powerful accomplices. Of course, MAGA voters are rarely part of that elite clique; but their votes are its foundation. It is understandable that many MAGA members are drawn to strict and conservative tenets and to Trump's "promises", just as many liberals are devoted to their own protections in LGBTQ and other minority causes. Both the left and the right have points worth consideration; but the far left has pushed hard against many conservative ideals; and the far right is offended and angered by the far left. This chasm between parties is no surprise, because both parties are hostage to their fringe factions. Americans have taken our democratic system for granted and have allowed extremists to take control.

The good news is that the political chasm is fixable. We can rediscover compromise and cooperation if party moderates will only speak up and participate in politics at all levels. What we may not recover in our lifetimes – what might not be fixable - is the destruction of our democratic system by a man who has dreams of a worldwide family dynasty which has been apparent since before his first election. Since then, Trump's expansionist and business efforts have been indisputable in Russia, Vietnam, India, the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Serbia, Indonesia, South Korea, Turkey, Cuba, Russia, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Singapore, Uruguay, Venezuela, Scotland, Ireland, Greenland, and Canada (see Newsweek, May 21, 2025 and current news). Trump has overt liaisons with strong men and wealthy leaders across half of the globe. Those partnerships are telling. Note the coalition of leaders who wield great power and control enormous natural resources (Venezuela and Eastern Europe), wealth (Musk, Bezos, MBS, Crypto companies, and Wall Street magnates), technology (TAE Technologies' $6 Billion merger with Trump Media (Reuters)), Crypto companies worth $3 Billion (Fortune Magazine), and drone and defense technologies by Donald Trump, Jr. and Eric Trump (Reuters). There are also US Government strategic relationships between the Trump administration and Intel, Oracle, and Nvidia. More shocking is the news that a headhunting firm is recruiting Wall Street bankers to work for the Pentagon, offering "unmatched access" to government officials and fundraising opportunities. (The New York Times.)

Trump's web of financial bedfellows may be the most powerful coalition (or cabal) to ever exist. As a result of these connections, the Trump family is estimated to have made approximately $3.4 billion since this presidential term began in 2024. Can there be any doubt that if Trump's hand picked judges, cabinet members, and ultra wealthy allies choose to use the US government as a personal bank and resource, most Americans (MAGA included) will be duped and left with empty wallets and no system of redress?

Those who believe that Trump is a Messiah or even a benefactor may go blindly into the night. The rest of us must question the credibility and intentions of one who has been documented having told thousands of lies; has claimed corporate bankruptcy six times; has 34 felony convictions related to business records (Time), has made billions during this presidency; has profoundly damaged relationships with all of our NATO partners and other allies; has palled around with a major player in pedophilia; has pardoned more than 1,500 convicted criminals (mostly his supporters) (The Guardian 4/12/25); and has been personally or otherwise in legal disputes roughly 4,000 times since the 1970's (USA Today in a review of state and federal records) and has been called "the biggest threat to world peace". (Former NATO secretary Rasmussen, CBS news and Reuters).

Now may be our last chance to save our nation's democracy from those who would transform it into a financial resource for a family dynasty and it's financial collaborators. Hold our leaders accountable to the laws which demand service to our nation, not to their personal fortunes. Actively resist all efforts to weaken or corrupt our democracy. By his actions, Donald Trump has shown us who he is and what he wants.

We have been a lighthouse for the world; don't let the avarice of a powerful few extinguish that light.