I am 81 years old and come from a working-class family, having grown up near Portland. I was a US Marine, a Portland police officer, a teacher, business owner, and community volunteer. Although I did not vote for you, many people like myself did so. They thought you respected them, but you have proven otherwise multiple times, and I hope they turn against you for your vengeful, destructive behavior.
First, you show yourself to be a despicable coward by supporting Vladimir Putin’s ambition to rebuild the Russian empire through invading his neighbors’ countries. Appeasement of Hitler did not work either, but led to World War II and over 100 million deaths. Your embarrassing timidity and kneeling to Putin will lead to massive terror and suffering, and someday likely another God-awful world war. You have encouraged that by your chicken-hearted, appeasement of little Putin. You are both very small.
You have willingly abandoned Ukraine and its leaders to a terrible fate, through creating another of your big lies: blaming Ukrainian President Zelensky for the Russian invasion of his own country that has killed tens of thousands of Ukrainians and Russians. How could your mind embrace such a terrible lie? It is just another of many you have told, so many now that even our traditional allies in Europe look at you with contempt for displaying such cowardice.
Second, you betrayed our country when you pardoned the people who committed serious crimes on January 6, 2021. With your urgent instigation, they attacked the Capitol Building in Washington, trying illegally to keep you in power. Police officers died from that attack, and many people on both sides were injured because of you. You do not give a damn about them, but only work to manipulate the fears and anger of those who believe in you so that you can cling to power. You are a traitor to America — to its history and higher purposes.
Third, the US government’s agencies need a “reset” – that is true. But you chose to be vicious and inflict the greatest possible fear, uncertainty, and pain on federal workers and their families. You could have undertaken this project more competently, done it with intelligence and care, but you chose to be both cruel and inept. You have not differentiated at all between services that are important (even lifesaving), and which are not. You have wounded our nation’s citizens again. How can you look in the mirror and not feel shame about your incompetence?
Fourth, you plan mass deportations of those who came here illegally to escape terrible conditions at home, or to seek a better future for their children. Most of those millions have already contributed here quite well; filling jobs that otherwise would go begging for employees, starting their own businesses, volunteering in our communities, and enriching our society by their presence. Running them out constitutes a serious wound to our country, and to our economy and self-respect.
You, being among the worst of humankind, have the nerve to call them “alien invaders,” “murderers,” “criminals and rapists.” In doing so, you draw out the worst qualities of those who believe you. You sicken our country. You create more fear and hatred. You leave wreckage behind you wherever you go. You have no sense of your own honor or the need to treat other people with dignity and respect. Most undocumented migrants deserve respect, but you deserve none.
You should immediately resign, though I know you will not. You will cling to power at all costs to our people. You are a sad, sick creature, a cruel joke on the nation. History will not treat you well.
Please consider me to be among your most devoted opponents.
Michael Randall
Netarts, Oregon