In the July 7 opinion piece “America can do much, much better,” writer Kevin Hancock, chairman of Hancock Lumber, made some astute observations about the unrepresentative nature of American politics. Unfortunately, and perhaps without intention, his implied “fie on both parties” suggested moral equivalency between a convicted criminal, his obstructionist and increasingly authoritarian party, and an honorable man whose party has governed, on the whole, with care and an eye on the future.

Hancock observes 1) independents now make up some 43% of the voting public with no real party to represent them; 2) our politics are unpredictably egocentric – I’m good vs. the common good; 3) we need to rethink how we structure representation.

Unfortunately, the Supreme Court’s presidential immunity ruling has legitimized criminal activity in the White House. The “Supremes” have now granted near absolute power to harm and even kill not just terrorists like Osama bin Laden, but critical protesters, columnists and political opponents who expose Trump’s vile, self-serving, morally bankrupt behavior.

Worse, Hancock ignores how too many Trump supporters see no problem with his history: convicted rapist, tax cheater, adulterer, pre-2016 election payoff to silence a porn star about her tryst, calling white supremacists “good people,” pathological lying, inspiring an insurrection, etc.

It’s true, we need to reform representation, and a public figure like Hancock deserves kudos for saying so. But we are not operating in a widely recognized moral universe anymore, and Trumpism’s establishment will ruin what’s left of hope for any reformist future.

Alan Toth
Rockland