Did our era of slash-and-burn politics start with Joe McCarthy, who saw a Red under every bed? Was it JFK’s fake news about a missile gap? Nixon with his enemies list? Donald Trump muddied the waters with the birther agitation. The result is that political campaigns now resemble a no-holds-barred athletic contest. With 17 GOP presidential wannabes, Trump emerged from the scrum. Now we have a grudge match between the Little Missile Man and the Moral Midget!

The victim of slash-and-burn politics is the democratic process. Politicians, aware of our propensity to kill the messenger, are reluctant to tell us the truth about our history or our current situation. Those afraid to confront reality are incapable of visualizing a better democratic future.

When was the last time America was great? Was it when General Macarthur led the UN to defeat at the Yalu? Was it when we ignored our vow to avoid a land war in Asia in Vietnam? Perhaps it was when we went to Iraq ignoring warnings of our Secretary of State and General Shineki. We have repeatedly proven ourselves incompetent at leading the free world! Far from making America great again, Trump’s pretentious strutting on the world stage while insulting potential allies demonstrates our foolishness.

President Obama wisely tried to build a collegial relationship with our allies. He and his administration fostered an eight-year long economic recovery. Obama understood that his outspoken advocacy of his program would produce personal and political reactions, so he failed to explain his policies leaving the public vulnerable to Trumpism.

Michael Wolff accuses Trump of infantile behavior. When tactics similar to those he uses against the Democrats are turned against him, he whines like a baby. Wolff’s accusation sticks! Republicans paved Trump’s path to the presidency. Let them impeach him. Building a functional democracy would demand all the Democrats intelligence and energy. I doubt that they are interested.

John Gibson

Owatonna