An open letter to the government and citizens of our great nation:

Senator Durbin’s recent equating of Guantanamo Bay to Hitler, Stalin and Pol Pot is the straw that broke the camel’s back. When are you going to hold your fellow members of Congress accountable? This kind of behavior is happening on both sides of the aisle and I’m sick of it. There should be immediate and serious sanctions placed by the rest of you on individuals that speak so carelessly.

Keep in mind that you are supposed to represent us, and frankly, you’re doing a very poor job of it. This foolish and childish behavior does nothing but provide fuel for those who desire to destroy us. Or maybe you’re so wrapped up in partisan politics, again I mean both parties, that you are blinded message you are sending to the world. Remember, you are responsible to lead this nation. Have you ever considered that you are examples to the general population? You may not like that, but just like the professional athlete, you are. At this point in history you are poor examples. The fact that you tolerate this from your own, makes you just as guilty as the individuals that spew out this folly. Grow up and function in a mature and responsible manner.

The judiciary no longer interprets our laws according to the Constitution. It writes them itself, and often without precedence. It has usurped the roll of the Congress and is functioning like a malignant tumor. And you sit idly watching (the people as well), without holding them accountable. By the way, malignancies are fatal without drastic treatment. You think this is not a real problem? Step back and take an honest look at the historical pilgrimage of this branch of government.

There is a simple explanation why these things are happening in our nation. We the people just don’t care enough to hold you accountable. We have the kind of government we deserve. Are we really leaders in our world? I think not, at least not good ones. I’m very proud of my heritage as an American. I served my country for a third of my life, but I’ll tell you, I am ashamed of her today. 

My heart’s desire is that all this will change. When I retired from the Navy here in Oak Harbor, we called ourselves “Team Whidbey,” and we were.  The United States has done wonderful things in her young life that has made the world a much better place to live, but there is so much more to do.

Please, let’s all of us do our part. And it will take all of us. We are certainly not operating as a team today. Unless that changes, our days of world leadership are numbered. 

History has proven that our republic has a great form of government when it functions the way it was established. What people of the world are viewing in the United States today is democracy in action, but it is desperately unhealthy. Let’s change that, and do it now. I have four grandchildren and I want each of them to have the same opportunities that I enjoyed.

Gary C. Robinson

Oak Harbor