It breaks my heart I have to write this.

In nine short months, our country has become unrecognizable — with fellow citizens alienated from one another; assassinations due to stoked anger; the health of Americans in jeopardy due to non-medical appointees; the National Guard patrolling democratic cities at a cost of $1 million per day; people snatched off the streets by masked U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents; highly qualified government professionals and departments eliminated; rising prices and economic instability due to tariffs; women's reproductive rights eliminated or restricted; federal school funding manipulated; free speech politicized; and America's world leadership questioned.

As a retired educator — both a counselor and a social studies teacher — my view of government is simple. I expect the government to provide stability in economic, domestic and international affairs. Health and safety are vital.

Dismantling the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and eliminating vaccine protocols is dangerous. Environmental protections also are vital to health and safety, as climate change causes more storms, fires, droughts, heat waves and floods.

We are blessed to have many of the greatest minds and resources in our country — unfortunately, many are leaving.

The Constitution used to be our “north star of governance,” but now seems to be ignored. I miss the America of kindness, tolerance, political sanity, vision and protection regardless of race, gender, religion or political persuasion. This November, please vote for candidates who will represent all citizens, who have a vision of a better America.

Debbie Pichler, Butler