Editor,

I have been reading a great deal in the Whidbey News-Times online and watching as much news from all networks as I can absorb. Not a pretty sight.

We on Whidbey Island still continue to bash each other on political sides, versus having rational and productive conversations. The actions of a very few in Washington, D.C. were unconscionable but have no bearing on the peaceful demonstration that occurred in Oak Harbor the same day, whether or not you agree with them.

Same could be said about the comments of drinking the “Trump Kool-Aid.” My perception is that we were fooled by the two-party system and have drunk one party’s Kool-Aid and took the other party’s little pills for a long time.

We need to think and peacefully act for ourselves and hold our elected officials accountable. We have to learn that often, those in the legislative branch are just going to fight in favor of what their party line is and not necessarily what is best for all the people.

Another problem is the narcissistic, egotistical, self-serving, self-promoting, self-righteous, self-entitled, hypocritical, lying elitist attitudes and actions that are so inherent and filtering down in all forms of federal, state, regional and local government.

U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw talked last week about leadership and tied representatives in the same sentence. I have no doubt Crenshaw served honorably and sacrificed as a true leader does. However, he is no longer in the military and not a “leader.” He is an elected representative, and whether he and the others like it or not, they are all of the nation’s representatives, nation’s people and all political views, despite state, region or district.

I don’t need anybody to lead me.

I didn’t vote for either candidate in the last two elections. I didn’t believe in the messages that any of the three put out. Though I am hopeful that President-elect Biden can bring the nation together, my expectations are not very high. He hasn’t accomplished a great deal in 47 years and has a great deal to overcome with all of his contradictory statements and action in years past. It’s only fair that we give him a chance. I hope he holds those under him not only responsible, but accountable for both their actions or lack of action.

Let’s stop attacking each other and work together to be an example for the region, state and the rest of our great nation.

Richard Hoover

Oak Harbor