“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands…”
Most Americans have declared this, from an early age – often by rote. Now, however, is a time where we seriously need to consider that declaration. A time where a decision is nigh. Are we pledging loyalty to our country or to a man who wishes to be king, whose cohorts would take over the trusted systems we have come to count on. 
The Republican Party has offered us two candidates whose statements and actions raise questions about their values. For more evidence:
• Read the Project 2025 document.
• See how our highest court is ruling and acting.
• Observe the crippling of Congress by the right.
• Listen to the nonsense the former president and his VP choice spew daily.
Living in a tourist town we see thousands of people coming through with big boats, pulled by big trucks, or those who stay weeks at their cabins or local resorts. We see those who eat in our restaurants and drive new vehicles. Can those folks be complaining about Bidenomics? From the way the economy and the deficit looked after one term with the former president why do folks still use the economy as a reason to vote for DJT? Only the rich will benefit from a DJT victory.
Do you see all those filled seats weekly at national football games? How are all those fans across the country affording the pricey tickets and paying for parking at the games? Something must be right about the economy, as reports are showing. We’ve never had it so good, aside from the political mess we are confronted with daily. 
 The opposition to immigrants at the border, another prime topic. Big farmers are concerned they will not be able to supply us with oranges, grapefruit, tomatoes, etc., we’re used to, without immigrants. They work hard for us and apparently appreciate FREEDOM more than most of the Right faction. The ways that we will be affected by of return of DJT to office is frightening, and yet many are convinced this is not so. Oppression of women is one of the biggest issues. Women, most of all, should want to protect their human rights, long in coming. Do the former president and his VP sound supportive of women?  
One has observed locals who did not support establishment of the BWCAW, who only wear pro-American products, who throw care to the wind regarding environmental issues. Somewhere along the line, theirs was a movement to the far-right, in a community which was strongly Democrat. 
 I am wondering if these independent thinkers ‘back in the day,’ know what they will be getting with Republican nominees should they be elected in November. 
 Anyone you know with federal jobs may be replaced by DJT loyalists. Power grabbing at the top with broad unquestioned jurisdiction and no safeguards of normal checks and balances, reinterpretations of the Constitution, deterioration of democracy, higher taxes for lower incomes, reduction of the wealthy’s taxation, repeal of affordable health care, abolishment of the Department of Education…the list of ways that American life will be altered at the will of the ‘King’ goes on and on.
 These candidates and their supporters are power hungry and greedy, with no care for the rest of us. They do not pledge their allegiance to the flag, or to the United States – they are committed to themselves in every selfish sense of the word. 
Cecilia Rolando 
Ely