We are a couple in our 70s with 45-plus years as residents of the red-leaning state of Alaska. My wife and I share six productive adult children and are blessed with 12 healthy, inquisitive grandchildren.
We are deeply concerned regarding two major issues that seriously impact the current state of and the future of our democracy. You have the power to address both of these issues by contacting your senatorial delegation.
Many of us learned in civics classes that the foundation of our democracy is based on the essential balance of equal power between the legislative, judicial and executive branches. Each branch holds and has a duty to provide checks and balances on the other branches. We believe the administration inaugurated on Jan. 20 seeks to disrupt that balance of power. As citizens we need to exercise a duty to inform and advise our representatives when we see issues that impact not just the balance of power, but the threat to democratic values. In this case, we need our senators to protect legislative power by rejecting Cabinet nominees who are not appropriate for the position to which they have been nominated.
The nominees we might be most concerned about being unqualified are also those that we might believe will do long-term damage to the organizations they are intended to lead, and/or will harm the rights and safety of American citizens. To name just a few of the most unserious nominees: Pete Hegseth and Tulsi Gabbard stand to weaken national defense and erode positive international relations; Kash Patel will undermine domestic safety and rights by gutting the FBI; as a former legal counsel in the employ of the president, Pam Bondi is highly unlikely to exercise independent judicial judgment; Robert Kennedy Jr. will not follow scientific evidence on vaccines. So many of the nominees are simply dangerously unqualified to be seriously considered. They received nominations not for their professional qualifications, but rather for their campaign contributions or their pledges of fealty. Surely these are not the most qualified and experienced candidates for their Cabinet positions. Tell your senators America deserves better.
Gene and SueAnn Randall
Juneau