I want to say what a great My Turn article on June 21 that Dean Haagenson wrote on the pitiful decline our country has been in for quite a while. Both political parties are too much leaning toward socialism and total government control. Remember our Founding Fathers set up our Republic to be the agent of the people, not to control, manipulate or conform to their dictates.

It seems we only have a handful of federal politicians now that really want to straighten out the huge problems the country currently faces. Voter turnout is terrible, and many Americans seem to be uninformed or don’t even care about what’s going on. Too many toys and gadgets, etc., seem to be in control of people worshipping possessions, not God.

As Dean noted, we are in decline in many ways more than ones he listed — morally, spiritually, in education, in science, militarily, and the family structure is being attacked and is declining! Why have so many jobs been leaving the U.S. to go abroad? Think about that. Illegal immigration is out of control. Why not stop all the freebies, and if people want to come here, do it legally. Taxpayers are being bled dry. What happens if the dollar fails?

If a fair tax was implemented, it’s said that will end power and money grabs by the IRS. They say the tax code would go from almost 70,000 pages to approximately 70 pages. What’s the old saying? Simplicity is key to success! The tax system is totally out of whack, along with many other systems in shambles. Please vote smart; logic and reason outweigh emotions.

Thankfully, the young man in Coeur d’Alene was carrying a legal firearm the other day when a man attempted to rob him with a knife. I am so thankful we still have the right to carry legal firearms, but the powers that be want to disarm us.

MONTE HILLMAN

Rathdrum