The United States has long been a promised land for people from all over the world. Our citizens feel proud and grateful that this country has worked hard for more than 200 years for opportunity and civil freedoms.

Under our current administration, our great country is creating deeply destructive changes for itself and for the world. For a look at where we’re headed, read George Orwell’s novel “1984,” in which he accurately predicted what’s happening now: perpetual war on ever-changing targets, dismantled civil liberties, a government by intimidation, misinformation from a managed media, an elite over a permanent underclass, and a withered economy.

While we are prescribing democracy and freedom to other nations, shall we allow the destruction of democracy and freedom here at home? Let’s take back our system of power balance among the three branches of our national government. Let’s take back our freedoms to speak, write and associate. Let’s take back due process in our justice system. Let’s take back the equal opportunity that is the hallmark of our proud tradition.

Jan Church

Southwest Harbor