Dear Editor
The political landscape has been so tumultuous lately, it’s nearly impossible to keep up with all the developments. Actions by the current administration, political parties, state governments, and politically motivated groups constantly make headlines. What used to be a daily news cycle now seems to be hourly. There are so many news outlets, news entertainment companies, social media posts from hundreds (thousands?) of platforms that it can make your head spin. Who is posting accurate information? What motivation is behind the information that is being disseminated? How can you double check information to be assured that it’s accurate and non-biased. Even if you can find the time during your busy day, it can be a daunting task to be well informed with valid information.
With that said, I do know of one source that is reliable. Information from people that I know and trust with actual events about how they are being directly affected by the actions of this administration. This is what individuals who work for or with the federal government have told me about their personal experiences:
Decades old domestic and international programs that serve the neediest of our population have been severely interrupted, if not eliminated. Staff who implement those programs have been told to stay home indefinitely without knowing if or when they will ever be able to come back to work. Health professionals who work at over 130 clinics were given a 3-day notice that their programs had been eliminated and that they no longer have a job, only to be called back to work the next day, creating chaos, confusion and mistrust among staff and the clients that they serve.
Organizations with healthcare initiatives are no longer looking to the USA for financial support and are looking to other funding sources, including China. They feel that the United States can no longer be trusted.
Dedicated civil servants who have devoted their lives to serving the public have been told that they are low valued employees and should look for work elsewhere.
Staff at research institutions have resorted to organizing their own fund raising out of fear that the federal research money their institution receives could be removed without notice.
Offices at one federal agency were seemingly eliminated alphabetically, with no consideration given to office function, or to the performance, tenure or veteran status of the staff within those offices.
In talking to people directly affected by the recent changing of policies, all agreed that improvements could be made to parts of their programs. Proper and valid evaluation to address those issues are welcome, and when done properly, the employee, the client and the tax payer all come out ahead.
The apparent randomness of actions, cruelty to civil servants, disregard for the well-being of people being served, absence of planning, and a general lack of Christian values leads me to believe our current government has difficulty operating with the once held high American standard of respect, common decency, and compassion. Political views set aside, we can and must do better as a nation.
Our future depends on it.
Nick Donze
Editor’s Response:
Thank you for your letter and for sharing your heartfelt concerns. Your message highlights the very real frustrations and fears many Americans are experiencing in today’s rapidly evolving political environment. The firsthand accounts you describe—of disrupted programs, disheartened civil servants, and uncertainty in public service sectors—underscore the human impact that policy decisions can have beyond the headlines.
It is understandable that when people see long-standing systems and support structures shift suddenly, they may feel that stability and compassion are being compromised. Your perspective contributes to an important dialogue about how government decisions affect everyday Americans and the institutions they depend on.
At the same time, we recognize that others may view these changes through a different lens—one focused on reform, efficiency, or realignment of national priorities. Some believe that re-evaluating federal programs, even abruptly, is necessary to address long standing inefficiencies or fiscal concerns, though many would agree that the process should be more transparent, thoughtful, and humane.
As a publication, our role is not to take sides, but to provide space for civil discourse on issues that affect our readers. Your letter represents a powerful voice calling for compassion, accountability, and respect in governance—values that resonate across political lines.
We welcome other readers to share their views and experiences as well, in the spirit of open and respectful conversation. The more we listen to one another, the more we can work toward a future that reflects our shared ideals.
— The Editor
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