Dear Editor:

Our “leaders” are destroying our future. The "American Dream" has been replaced with a dystopian reality. Trust in our government is at a new low and most believe our country is on the wrong track. We are turning into a dysfunctional and authoritative third world country, embracing the hate of Marxism complete with Soviet-style show trials.

Venezuelans “fleeing” back to their own failed country is a warning of our future unless real changes are made. The “doomsday clock” is closer to the end than it has ever been. A weak and directionless U.S. is a danger to the world and to itself and each day brings more risk.

It is time to consider the real challenges even to our survival. We, as voters, must look past the headlines and rhetoric and start looking at resumes and historical performance. To restore the “American Dream” we need a president, cabinet, and military and civilian leaders, who are capable, experienced, and up to the task. For those concerned about global warming, pronouns, and social scoring for citizens, they all become meaningless in a nuclear winter, or a country controlled by a foreign power.

Time to pay attention folks; what we are doing is not working. The people who broke it will not be the ones to fix it. It is time for thoughtful changes.

Joe Grant

Wiscasset