A challenging question from Des Moines resident Ira Lacher. -promoted by desmoinesdem

I have one question for each and every candidate running for local, state, or national office, for whom we are urged to vote on November 6:

“How are you going to make me believe in America again?”

How are you going to make me believe that you will not take advantage of a broken republican system that lines the pockets and enhances the power of those who purport to represent The People’s interests?

How are you going to make me believe that the qualities of America I was brought up to believe in — honesty, integrity, sacrifice — are not just empty words to toss around at campaign rallies?

How are you going to make me believe that the unity which is preached from every corner of civic life will forever remain the prime directive in the hearts of Americans everywhere and not vanish into thin air when it is expedient to pit one side against another for the sake of gaining power?

How are you going to make me believe that the ultimate ideal of America — the rule of law — is not just another tool to be brandished when the real goal is to instill one economic or political philosophy or worship system on the rest of us?

How are you going to make me believe that the countless men and women who died in the belief that they were willing to do so to keep America free, and are continuing to do so to this day, were not conned into making that ultimate sacrifice to protect the money, power and vital interests of a select few and not the needs of the many?

How are you going to make me believe that “liberty and justice for all” means for all Americans, not only those whom you resemble?

I want to believe again in what I used to believe. How are you going to make me do that?