I don’t blame anyone — not even The Beachcomber’s staff or its owners — for not understanding what’s happening to our freedoms, security and our children’s birthright. But I will say this: We are supposed to be living in a Constitutional Republic. That means the Constitution is the foundation of our legal system. In a Constitutional Republic, no one is above the law. No one.

Elected officials take an oath on their sacred honor to preserve, protect and defend the constitution and the principles on which it is founded. A person who can’t be be trusted to honor their word is not qualified to be president — or hold any political office. And yet, here we are, prepared to vote for one presidential candidate who, using this criteria, has a long proven record of not being qualified to hold high office, or another candidate who tells you they are unqualified based on what they say they intend to do while in office. We’ve had presidents before who promised to do good things, but totally failed to deliver on them. Some candidates will say anything to get elected.

Why do we continue to vote for people who tell us — clearly, if inadvertently — that they simply can’t and shouldn’t be trusted or believed? Our Constitution is no longer held in esteem by most Americans and hardly anyone in government. Those who do — including a long list of whistle blowers — are often disrespected by government and silenced, intimidated, imprisoned or killed for their patriotism or for honoring their oath of office. When we knowingly vote for would-be criminals, we become accessories to their subsequent crimes. Why would you want to vote for someone who will one day surely damage your self-respect? Please, stay true to your deepest self.

— Mark A. Goldman