Two huge realities threaten America. Neither threat comes from immigrants. The first is caused by the seizure of our economy and politics by a handful of rich elites in tech, finance, media, real estate and insurance, with devastating impacts on working Americans, immigrants and citizens alike. This DOGE-Trump-led elite hijacked the U.S. government to steal our assets. They fired federal workers and canceled grants, but not to save money. Indeed, DOGE has cost us billions. Instead, their real goal is to destroy governments so that we depend only on them. The Republican Party lost its long-held goals to uphold the law and to empower the little guy, and now seeks only to aid corruption. America is also rapidly losing control over the natural resources that make our economy and our lives possible. This threat comes not from a trade imbalance nor a drop in energy production. It is caused by Trump-MAGA’s sellout to rich elites in oil-gas, mining, tech and chemicals. They shut down federal efforts to protect our air, water and land, endangering our very existence. Climate change is already driving intense new levels of floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires and pollution. It will get worse. It is not hard to find the reality beyond the lies: The Guardian, NPR, AP, New York Times, Washington Post (still), Boston Globe and our own Daily Hampshire Gazette share real news. There are a thousand ways to connect and to help build a just and sustainable future to address these realities.

Rich and Sue Cairn

Amherst