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Do not let country be further divided

With the inauguration fast approaching, let us all come together and agree on the following: Donald Trump was lawfully elected to be the 45th president of the United States.

Yes, the Russians may have used covert actions to obtain confidential data. Yes, the Russians may have spread false news. Yes, the FBI may have used poor judgment by inserting itself before the election.

But each vote cast on Nov. 8 was counted correctly. No one coerced any individual to vote one way or the other. If voters chose to believe or disbelieve the Wikileaks data, if voters chose to be concerned or not concerned that the FBI continued to carry on its investigations, if voters chose to believe or disbelieve unconfirmed news stores, that WAS and IS their right. Both sides choose to believe their side is always correct.

I suggest:

For those who voted for Donald Trump, HOLD him accountable for all of his campaign promises.

For those who voted for Hillary Clinton, keep active to make your voice heard during the next four years.

Do not let this election divide our country further. We must find common ground and we must insist that our representatives work TOGETHER. —Susan Repa, Lakeside

Disappointed in fellow Democrats

As a lifetime voting Democrat, I am disappointed, disheartened and disgusted with my fellow Democrats and elected officials that continuously denigrate our elected president Trump.

The media, the celebs, and congressmen do nothing but cry the blues over the election outcome. I have always supported whoever was the elected president, even if I did not vote for that person. Obviously Trump is the people’s choice! To hear that Democrat congressmen are opting out of attending Trump’s inauguration is deplorable!

All this dissension is dividing our country and making us the laughingstock throughout the world. The man is our president, like it or not. We must stand united and support President-elect Trump in his efforts. At least give him a chance! —Ann Egerter, Bigfork

Keep access to health care

Everyone needs access to health care. I don’t think throwing out the Affordable Care Act without replacement is the answer. Many programs take time to alter as problems are noted. Adjustments are a normal way of fixing any program as they are rolled out. This occurred with Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Nothing is perfect at inception. Adjusting and fixing is a continual process. Do we really want to destroy health care completely? What will happen to those citizens who lose their coverage that they so recently obtained? Perhaps we could put a little more thought in this decision? —Susan Sanocki, Bigfork

A pledge of resistance

In his farewell address, President Obama reminded us that we the people have the power and duty to make the United States a more perfect union. And that power and duty is more important today than it has ever been.

We are experiencing a political age in which a way of life has been normalized that is beneath our humanity. Men and women of good will recognize that a holy resistance is both patriotic and moral. We pledge to resist white nationalism and misogyny; Islamophobia and racism; anti-science and anti-nature; the validation of sexual assault and mocking the disabled; fear of the stranger and banishing the foreigner; building walls of division and factional violence. And in our resistance, we will stand in solidarity with the poor, the marginalized, and the most vulnerable of the earth — both humans and nonhumans. We will pursue justice and peace through heartfelt resistance and nonviolent civil disobedience when necessary.

We are grateful to President Obama for the gift of his gracious leadership these past eight years. And we make this pledge of resistance in his honor. —Bob and Laurie Muth, Kalispell

Nation must be ‘indivisible’

As we advance into a new political arena under a very unpredictable administration, it occurs to me that we need to take a serious look at our involvement as citizens. I think it would be very appropriate for us to take a close look at our “Pledge of Allegiance.”

“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Perhaps the most meaningful word in the pledge is “indivisible.” The statement, “United we stand, divided we fall,” as has been made by various governmental leaders over time, is more critical today than ever. If we can’t find ways to move forward as one “United” country we face certain failure. We must work together to make sure that our elected representatives hear our concerns and take the necessary actions that address the needs of all citizens, not just those who pay for the campaign expenses that result in re-elections.

If we are ever going to have a government “of the people, by the people, and for the people,” all of us must step up, accept our role, and aggressively participate in the political process. —Edd Blackler, Bigfork

A touch of class coming to the White House

All the die-hard left-wing media and politicians will be viewing the classless Hillary “Benghazi” Clinton in her possibly $250,000 designer pants suit at the inauguration and weeping and wailing with the despicable, classless, crybaby congressmen and congresswomen who chose not to attend.

As for me, I’ll be watching some truly classy ladies, Melania and Ivanka Trump.

And for all the Republican politicians who wouldn’t get behind their party’s nominee, you don’t deserve to be present. You’re jointly as despicable as the crybabies. —Jack Jones, Kalispell