Fearing for America’s future

I write this letter with a heavy heart, unsure of where our country is headed. We were built on the foundations of freedom, personal responsibility and choice — principles that once united us. But today, I see a nation increasingly divided, plagued by political discontent, rising violence and what appears to be a blatant disregard for the Constitution.

Everywhere I look, I see signs of deepening fracture. Civility has given way to hostility. Debate is now war, and compromise is viewed as weakness. It seems we’ve forgotten how to talk to each other, to listen with empathy and to find common ground. The Constitution — once the bedrock of our liberty — is now treated by many as an obstacle to be bypassed rather than a guide to be followed.

At the heart of this turmoil are the people who built this country — our farmers, small business owners and working families. Farmers struggle under crushing tariffs and shifting trade policies they had no hand in shaping. Many have been forced to sell land held for generations just to stay afloat. Small businesses, once the pride of American enterprise, face red tape, inflation and uncertain futures. The poor are caught in an economy that rewards wealth while punishing those simply trying to survive. Wages can’t keep up with costs, and assistance is either delayed or denied.

This isn’t the America we were promised. This isn’t the land of opportunity it once was. The American Dream feels more distant than ever for too many.

I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I know that division, corruption and indifference are not the solution. We need leadership that honors our Constitution, listens to its people and restores dignity to all Americans, not just the powerful few.

I still believe in this country. But I fear for it. And I hope we can find our way back.

Douglas Brown, New Castle