Goose stepping behind Trump

​When basic American values and motivations, freedom of press, all men created equal, helping to make our world a better place for all children, etc., are under attack, you would expect those elected to public office, especially political leaders of both parties, to show the courage of our forefathers and stand up to such attacks, regardless of whether they are foreign or domestic.

It is extremely disturbing to hear spineless politicians, of both parties, consistently stay silent about or even excuse entirely the almost daily diatribes against minorities, the press, women and the disadvantaged that come from Trump. These "stay silent" politicians are "goose stepping" with arms raised high behind an individual who has no moral compass.

Does that sound familiar, or has the history of our grandfathers already been forgotten? Are Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell and other lesser politicians, of both parties, going to be able to look their grandchildren in the eye and tell them, "In my time, I did all I could and spoke out to uphold core American values"? Or do they say, "I took the coward's way out, stayed silent, and marched in step behind a sick individual"?

I think the choice for all Americans as we go to the polls this year and beyond is quite clear. We either support the politicians, of both parties, that have shown the moral strength and stood up for core American values, or join the parade of those goose stepping behind a very disturbed individual who only advances his own self interests in his own self-made world. Our forefathers did it for us, and now we need to show our children and grandchildren that we have the courage to do the right thing for them, regardless of political party.

Richard Earley

Glen Ellyn