(Letter to the Editor - Graphic Illustration/MetroCreativeConnection)

I’ve been an observer of American politics for nearly a half century and I’ve noticed a disturbing trend that’s gotten much worse these past several years. Politicians are becoming more and more unethical, immoral, deceitful and even hostile to their colleagues. I am not naive enough to suggest that politicians have always had high levels of integrity.

History is riddled with money grabbing liars. In fact, I suggest there are two main reasons people get into politics. First and certainly foremost, is the obsessive desire for power and money, some unapologetically so. Donald Trump is a recent example, but there are many other examples. Richard Nixon comes to mind, as does Arch A. Moore Jr., a former West Virginia governor. Numerous politicians throughout history have been incredibly corrupt.

The second reason to get into politics is a sincere and genuine desire to help improve the lives and economic status of their constituents. I can think of only a few, such as John D. Rockefeller IV, a former governor, and Ken Heckler, a former W.Va. Congressman.

But now, since the election of Trump, many politicians of both parties but mostly Republican leaders like Mitch McConnell, have become hateful and uncooperative with their colleagues. Others are simply idiots, like Marjorie Taylor Greene, Ted Cruz and Jim Jordan, none of whom deserve to be in positions of power.

The problem, it seems is the voters don’t seem to care. Take the Congressman, George Santos, I believe, who was recently elected after lying extensively about his credentials. He should be kicked out of the House but I suspect he won’t be because his party is more concerned about maintaining their numbers in the majority.

Until the voters demand accountability and integrity from their elected officials, lying, greediness and lack of integrity will continue to be the status quo. So, honestly, we have no one to blame but ourselves. Our system isn’t broken. We are.

Russ Bowers

Parkersburg