Dear editor:

I am writing in regards to a letter from Linda and Bob Graff in the June 25 edition of the Tribune. In the last paragraph they write “This country is now controlled by a group of people who hate it and want to destroy everything it stands for.” Divisive rhetoric like this isn't good for any/all who live in this great nation.

Every one of us has been gifted with a mind of our own. We form opinions about all sorts of things such us what foods we like and dislike, what type of vacation we like or dislike, whether we prefer living in a city or living in wide open spaces, which season is our favorite, what church (if any) we want to belong to. There's no right or wrong to any of those choices. It's the same for political leanings. We are free to have a very conservative political outlook, a very liberal outlook, or anywhere in between the two and none of those choices are wrong. They are just different. Having different, or even opposite, thoughts, beliefs and ideas about how this country should be run does not equate to “hate it and want to destroy.”

I have never run for an office but I imagine campaigning and holding an office is not for the faint of heart. Those who choose to do this do it because they care about our towns, counties, states and the nation. I don't believe they do it out of hate and to destroy. The current administration, the members of Congress and the Supreme Court justices are all in this boat with us and none want this boat to sink. We don't all agree on how to steer this boat but it is very important to remember that we are all in the boat TOGETHER.

Pat Winlow

Cody