Dear Congress of the United States,
I write to you with a heart heavy with disillusionment and a spirit profoundly wounded by the current state of our nation. As a 79-year-old veteran with 29 years of unwavering service to the United States, including a tour in Vietnam during which I earned the Combat Infantry Badge, Silver Star, Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts, and numerous other accolades, I feel compelled to convey my deep dismay.
The country for which my comrades and I risked our lives, the country we once believed was a beacon of democracy and patriotism, has devolved into a battleground of partisan animosity. My heart aches as I witness the deep division that tears at the very fabric of our society.
I remember when Congress members were trusted by their constituents and acted with integrity and commitment to the common good. Today, I feel ashamed of the spectacle unfolding in Washington. Instead of serving the people, you engage in trivial disputes and political maneuvering rather than prioritizing the nation’s needs. Both Republicans and Democrats have abandoned their duty, becoming self-serving players more focused on their reelection than the welfare of those they represent.
The empty rhetoric and disdain from the Republicans insult our intelligence, while the Democrats’ endless promises remain nothing but words. Stop the empty statements and take real action for heaven’s sake and our nation! I, along with the people of this nation, am not interested in your speeches; we want results.
Never in my wildest nightmares did I think I would feel such deep shame for the country I fought for, and served. The sacrifices made by me and countless others have been wasted by the very individuals entrusted with upholding the values we fought to defend.
I am saddened and ashamed.
Russ Widener
Pagosa Springs, CO