To the Journal editor:

I watched a movie recently, “Hunger Games.” It portrayed an imaginary country where the capitol district lived an extravagant life at an expense of the surrounding country.

They sucked resources and taxes from the surrounding districts, ignoring a large portion of their citizens. It came as no surprise when they rebelled. After the events of this month this doesn’t seem so far fetched and imaginary.

All summer, people had their businesses destroyed and burned and local and state governments did nothing. Instead, they excused the actions of many and told the National Guard to stay away.

Federal buildings were desecrated every night in Portland for over 2 months and attempts at protection by federal security was condemned as militaristic and provoking. Yet one afternoon of rioting in Washington was labeled an insurrection because the “great unwashed” rioted at the seat of government.

In less than 48 hours, the town was filled with 26,000 troops. No money available for a border fence to protect those on our border who have been invaded for years. They were told walls just don’t work and are immoral. But, in less than a week a sophisticated wall surrounded the capitol complete with razor wire. My point is not that those security measures (maybe a little excessive) were unneeded, but rather to point to the double standard highlighted by these events.

When your stuff is destroyed and your safety threatened, no big deal. When my stuff is destroyed and I’m threatened, call in the U.S. Army. There is a disconnect between many in our government. They spend their time jockeying for power and trying to embarrass their opponent. They delay/reject solutions to important problems to gain political advantage in the next election.

Every tragedy or pandemic is an opportunity for political gain. If as much time was spent asking what is best for our country as there is worrying about one’s legacy, social status, and poll numbers great things could be accomplished.

The cry for unity at this moment is sadly just a disingenuous distraction from the constant agitation by those who seek your money through political donations or those who profit through their media outlets.

Gen. Sherman once warned Ulysses Grant “the lust for power in political minds is the strongest passion for life and impels Ambitious men (and women) to deeds of infamy.”

They were very familiar with politicians in a deeply divided America.