Letters: Address problem that led to Trump, not symptoms

Set aside the widespread panic at the thought that a crude, ignorant oligarch without an hour’s experience or interest in public service might be elected president of the United States, and ponder these questions:

How did it happen in this land of opportunity that so many citizens believe they have become throw-away people that they’re willing to fall for his absurd nonsense? Could it be related to the extreme disparity between the wealthiest 1 percent and the rest of us and the suspicion that the middle class is slipping backwards? Could it have to do with our fellow citizens shipping jobs and profits overseas to wring a few more selfish bucks out of the economy? Could it be related to a governing class that refuses to govern because politicians would rather stick their thumb in a political opponent’s eye than work at productive compromise?

Coming together to acknowledge and address real sickness is more productive than panicking about the symptoms.

This story was originally published April 6, 2016 at 4:06 PM with the headline "Letters: Address problem that led to Trump, not symptoms."