to the editor: I recognize and appreciate the points that columnists Anita Chabria and Mark Z. Barabak made in their recent commentary (“The United States tried something new in 2025. It's not going well.” December 28). While I have some degree of agreement, I wonder if they are overlooking an important factor.
President Trump is a skilled speaker and a great salesman, à la PT Barnum. Like many great salespeople, the truth is not always an important consideration. But we already knew that Trump was not the most honest president; after all, washington mail He counted 30,573 false or misleading claims during his first term.
To me, we should focus on the Republican Party. Their support and lack of courage have allowed attacks on democracy to succeed.
I am not anti-Republican and I believe that for democracy to continue to exist we need a two-party system. But today's Republican Party is not the Republican Party of many past great Republican leaders. Today's Republican Party represents only Trump.
Our democracy was created so everyone could have an equal voice. Every state is different and they all have their strengths and weaknesses. But the United States Congress was forced to reach an agreement for the good of all. Over the years, there have been far-left and far-right policies that have not been successful because they only serve their own narrow points of view.
We must come together and remember that, good and bad, we are all in this together. Commitment, consideration and balance are the fiber of the greatness of our democracy.
Walter Oliver, Santa Paula
