This letter defies my usual approach to political elections. I have always considered individuals, not parties. For me, it is different this time. Our nation is traveling down a very dangerous path. Here’s what I mean.

Republicans vs. Democrats. Where are we? What does it mean to be a Republican? What does it mean to be a Democrat? Having grown up in a solid Republican family in Wisconsin, I can say without reservation that to be an individual voting Republican today means almost nothing.

Right now, the Republican party has been bought by the Koch brothers’ style of huge billions of dollars, is controlled by large corporation power, and has been infected by the Koch brothers’ background of both libertarian and John Birch Society philosophies. Democrats, on the other hand, tend to be more independent and sensible in thought, more socially compassionate, and more attuned to answering the frustrations and needs of the average American family.

In my opinion, regardless of present party affiliation, “we the people” would be well served in all the upcoming elections, be they local, state, or national, to get on board with a powerful movement to encourage voting for Democratic candidates. This may change in the future, just as back in the 1980s the Democrats were so radical and sort of “out of touch” that voting Republican was the best thing to do.

Party platforms matter, and if you have a platform constructed, bought, paid for, and made manifest through greed, fear, and pay-offs, such as with the present Republican Party, those elected under that banner are subject to the money-power. That’s just the way it is, and again in my opinion, our local, state and national political structures are in danger and at a crossroads right now.

Vote Democratic, is my plea.

McClellan is a resident of Polson