I am disgusted and fed up with our president and with our legislators and even with many of our well-meaning citizens. Grown men and women who act like children playing in the sandbox are driving our nation to ruin.

What is it with our leaders today? With all the problems we have in this country — problems that threaten our very existence as a free nation — our elected leaders and representatives seem to be more concerned with party politics and what they want, and with what the rest of the world thinks about us, than they are about what is best for their constituents and the nation. How did we get in this mess? What’s wrong with compromise?

We are spending billions of dollars every year in support of other countries, many of whom are unfriendly toward the United States. Some even support terrorists and others who are openly aggressive toward us. In spite of this, some of our leaders are talking about reducing defense spending. We spend millions or billions on social welfare programs for illegal aliens. Our senators and congressmen have retirement and health-care benefits far beyond the benefits available to you and me. People who don’t work, don’t want to work, and never worked a day in their lives demand food stamps, health care and a check. Do you see anything wrong with this picture?

We just blew the opportunity to do something about some of these problems. If the president and our congressional leaders were paying attention, it may not be too late.

I am afraid that we are on a slippery downhill slope. The way we are headed, I fear for the future of our country. I won’t live to see the mess we are leaving for our children and grandchildren. All I can do is to say ... I’m sorry.

R.L. Sargent

West Columbia