Letter: We need to talk about the travesty of Jan. 6 and elect leaders who are brave, honest and good

To my grandchildren,

In 2020 thousands of people stormed our U.S. Capitol building because they believed, wrongly, along with Donald Trump that he had won the election. Grandpa and I watched in horror all day. Never in the history of our nation had a former president tried to overthrow the government. Then, in 2020 Donald Trump tried.

To me our Capitol building and all the monuments in Washington D.C. are sacred. They symbolize what is best about our country. They honor those who’ve given their lives for our freedom. To hear people say the rioters “behaved badly” or that they were “peaceful protesters,” is an affront to everyone who has served, given their life, or unselfishly loves this country.

I know you children will go through difficult times. The economy goes through its ups and downs. It has many times in my lifetime. My parents and grandparents lived through the Great Depression. But somehow we (our country) make it through and the economy gets better.

But, my dear children, if we allow people to take away our voting process, and encourage their followers to riot and pillage our hallowed places, our country will be gone and our economy will not matter.

I want leaders who are brave, honest and good. We used to have them, but you don’t remember, and I want you to know what they are like, what America was like. We need to talk about the election of 2020 and the travesty of Jan. 6 and hold those that are in leadership responsible. They may be in leadership positions, but they are not leaders. I want you, my children, to know the difference. This country is our home and there’s no place like it. I want you to know, feel and love it like I do. We need our America back again. Love, grama.

P.S.: As a former Republican, I will vote for Evan McMullin and other Democrats. Not because I love their policies so much but because so few Republicans would speak up about the 2020 election or Jan. 6.

Paula DeSpain, Sandy

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