Soul searching, integrity needed in politics

The recent election of Donald Trump to be president of the USA and his previous election have the same cause. Leading political leaders in both parties decided years ago that personal power was much more important than party strength.

Neither Democrats nor Republicans have spent any energy or time mentoring new leaders. All emphasis has been on personal political power. Power-filled leaders do not want to mentor anyone. They want no one to share their power. They think they can take it to the grave.

There is a giant void in party leadership in both parties. The few who might be called leaders are in their late 70s or older. Since all normal Republicans have lost all their personal political power, (only Trump has power in this new presidential cycle) it remains to be seen whether they will stand together for their country.

With some honest soul searching and some integrity, done by both parties, maybe we can regain the country our founding fathers hoped for. Or maybe not.

Mary Jane Hagedorn

Mount Prospect