This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Our history contains many, many examples of individuals who demonstrated the highest and most noble actions while serving "the people" of this nation. Chief among them is George Washington himself. He was far more than just a general and the first president of this new nation. His sacrifices and dedication are unmatched. The books written about him offer insight into just how noble he truly was. Were it not for him, there would have been no nation to defend in wars, no heroes, no subsequent great presidents for the nation to revere.
We're continually bombarded by those who, by some extraordinary means, can explain with great precision exactly what was meant by the founding fathers when they drafted the documents that guide us today. Actually, the words in those documents have been, and continue to be, interpreted differently due to the passage of time and the context between then and now.
Our nation is in extremely short supply of individuals who possess the character and moral compass to do the right thing today. Put simply, compromise isn't in vogue. It's "them" versus "us." The losers are the people of America.
What's good for the country, "the people," is a sales pitch used back and forth by those who have little claim to strong character and high ethics. Sadly, too often it comes down to money, which, sadly, drives the machine today like never before.
We can only wait and watch for what comes next.
Alan Peterson
Mayfield