COLUMN: A Confederate Yankee

In the Lord of the Rings movie, there is a scene in which the king gazes around him at the looming conflict and asks “How did it come to this?”

I’m no king, but I share his lament; indeed, how did it come to this? You know what I’m talking about. I’ve been watching political machinations for 60 of my 71 years and it’s never been quite like this.

Politicians used to, at least on the surface, act – well, civilized…as if maintaining a respectful attitude towards the electorate really mattered. As if blatant lies about the “other guy” were shameful and rarely applied. As if due diligence toward critical national defense data were of the essence. As if openness regarding monetary contributions was important.

Talking about grabbing women by their nether parts and hitting on women you knew were married? Really? C’mon, even at my age, I admire a deliciously dressed young woman, but holy crap, man! And the question is legitimate: what sort of guy loses a billion dollars in one year, has six major investments go bust and gets hauled into court time and time again for failure to pay his bills and then wants everyone to call him a financial genius?

And when did standing on the national stage hurling insults and telling lies constitute a debate? Lies that the candidate, when called on them, freely admits to?

Yeah, I have a bit of trouble with someone who insults a Gold Star mother and then doubles down on it, who disrespects my fellow veterans when they experience unseen trauma from combat operations, and dislikes a war hero cuz the guy got captured. Squalls about American jobs going overseas but has his suits made – overseas? Really?

But the worst of it: the number of Americans who think this sort of nonsense is not only acceptable, but also admirable. That this qualifies the candidate to become POTUS. Look in your mirror and ask: How on Earth did it come to this?

William D. “Bill” Mayers RT, RN, of Sullivan is a retired senior U.S. Army Corpsman. A certified healthcare professional since 1964, he holds two professional licenses, including that of Registered Professional Nurse licensed in New York, Alaska, Virginia and Louisiana. He has four children, two stepchildren, three grandchildren and is an avid analyst of current events.