I believe our republic is at a critical juncture, where a constitutional crisis is becoming very possible. The combination of presidential attacks on our basic institutions, including the free press and rule of law, and consistent disregard of those actions by the Republican majority in Congress, brings into question where our democracy is heading.

On Feb. 2, Donald Trump made the following statement relative to the release of the dishonest and debunked memo from Republican Congressman Devin Nunes: “I think it’s a disgrace what’s happening in our country, a lot of people should be ashamed of themselves, and much worse than that.”

I could not agree more, but the disgrace is you Mr. President and shame oozes from the Republican controlled Congress for not taking you to task!

Mr. Trump, it has been clear for over a year that Russia meddled in the last election, but absolutely nothing has been done to ensure it will not continue into the next one.  The paranoid attacks you foster on the investigation into the extent of such interference are unprecedented, and the absolute lack of shame shown by most members of the political party you lead is astounding.

Our democracy is being sold to assuage the ego of a narcissistic con man who lied his way to the presidency and in that role functions only to serve himself and his billionaire buddies.  The government has functioned in the past year as more of an oligarchy than a democracy, and the distance between the former and a dictatorship is a short one.

Our nation is at great risk. It is up to all of us to use the power of our voices and our votes to prevent the demise of our democracy.

Gretta Van Bree

Lincoln Township