DEAR EDITOR:

Many years ago, in my junior high school civics class, our teacher asked: “Is the United States a land governed by laws or is it a land governed by men?” The United States of America was born from a bitter revolution against the tyranny of King George. Our Declaration of Independence outlined an aspirational guiding philosophy: it would be a nation ruled by laws made by the people, and all men have inalienable rights to freedom, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Although imperfect, the new nation aimed to build a more perfect union: the Constitution set the rules of government, and the Bill of Rights protected citizens from government overreach. Throughout American history, we have acknowledged failures of our government, like slavery, women’s suffrage and civil rights, and have continually worked to reconcile them with Jefferson’s vision. We can be proud of our progress toward a more perfect union — until now. The ideals of our founding fathers, enshrined in our Constitution, are being shattered like a China cup on the marble floors of government. For the first time in my long life, I fear for our country; my unwavering pride in being an American is fading.

As a child of WWII, I grew up proud of a nation that fought to defend democratic ideals and, after the war, sought justice through initiatives like the Marshall Plan, the GI Bill, the United Nations, and USAID. The America of my youth, built on an idea, is being torn apart by greed, power, fear, retribution, bigotry, rudeness and discrimination: armed military forces are on our streets; retribution is aimed at political enemies and opposition parties; the poorest among us face higher taxes (tariffs); and, most insidious of all, we’re bombarded with false and misleading claims designed to undermine or destroy longstanding institutions like USAID, DOJ, NOAA, and EPA. It is no surprise that these attacks happen; what’s shocking is their intensity, speed and cruelty. The danger to our democracy comes from within — not from our citizens, but from our government. No matter political leanings, who does not support a government rooted in self-rule, liberty and justice?

My civics teacher would not recognize today’s America: a nation governed by self-serving men, not laws. At the end of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, Benjamin Franklin was reportedly asked, “What kind of government do we have?” and he replied, “A republic, if you can keep it.” Can we keep it?

LAUREN SCHROEDER

Poland