In the pouring rain, standing in front of U.S. Rep. Fred Upton’s office in St. Joseph, I noticed an elderly man with a cane.

He was shivering, cold, wet and determined. People of all ages and races lined the streets with protest signs.

Upton, you remain silent while our democracy is trampled. While we stood in the storm that very day and hour, one of the most unqualified candidates in history was confirmed as education secretary.

Since then, Jeff Sessions, a known bigot, has been confirmed as attorney general.

Our country’s growing crisis at the hands of President Donald Trump seems to confirm he is insane . With his delusional rants, he is seemingly oblivious to his serious role as president.

He praises Putin. Putin is a bloody tyrant.

Is Trump being blackmailed by the Russians, or is he just plain stupid? Perhaps it is both.

Steve Bannon, his right-hand man, is said to be a fascist.

Trump has put this world in a state of fear, confusion and loathing. I believe he wants a war with Muslims.

Maybe Bannon has instilled some fantasy in him.

The KKK and Nazis came out of their dark lairs to scatter their hateful messages on our country like burning coals.

For the cost of Trump’s wall, Republicans could easily fix whatever parts of the Affordable Care Act they don’t like, find a cure for cancer or fix our crumbling roads.

Your party, Upton, has a majority. The Republican Party has a duty to protect this country.

You and the rest have remained silent in the face of this madness. Use the 25th Amendment or impeachment process to remove this president.

We are not going to stand by and see our country destroyed by fools. While we reel with one horrible decision after another, we are more and more determined.

You and your fellow Republicans can stand up for us as fellow Americans, or you can follow the party line — and be judged harshly by history.

You, sir, can be a courageous American or a silent partner in our nation’s destruction.

The choice is yours.

 

JUDY CLARKE CORAK

Eau Claire