Jan. 6, 2021, was a defining moment in understanding where we are as a country and who our elected representatives stand for. 

In 2016, an outsider to the political world was elected to the executive leadership position of the most powerful country on earth. Many could not believe that he actually won and once recovering from their disbelief, their immediate reaction was to try anything and everything to have him kicked out of office. From “Never-Trumper” Republicans to the entire Democratic establishment, many brought forth falsehoods to try to impeach him. None of their attempts were successful, and many of our tax dollars were wasted in the process. 

To remedy their problem once and for all, a very elaborate system was devised and implemented. There just so happened to be a manmade, worldwide pandemic during a U.S. election year, which very conveniently enabled the use of mail-in voting on a scale never seen before in this country. The massive amount of these mail-in ballots, the key changes made in certain states’ voting processes shortly before the election, many irregularities in the counting process and the connection of electronic voting machines to the internet leaves one room to ponder. 

When these issues were brought forth, we were told that there was nothing substantial noted that would change the outcome. Really? We are not going to check and make sure? We will stop a football game and review a play from 10 camera angles and talk it over with many officials to ensure the right call is made, but we will not review the points brought forward to ensure the integrity of the voting process for the most important position in our country?

 If these claims mentioned were investigated with any effort, Americans would feel confident in the voting process and awarding the victor his due reward. However, investigations did not happen, and this tells us where we are as a country, which seems to be one stop short of a banana republic.

Who do our elected officials stand for if they will not ensure the integrity of this process? Very simply, they stand for themselves. You do not have to look far to see how well our elected officials have done by joining the Washington circus. Look where they lived prior to being elected and where they live now. 

This farcical election was about getting a man of the people out of the way of the established global elite. Imagine the audacity of us thinking that we decide our future. On Jan. 6, the elected officials who voted against the objection of various states’ electoral counts lined up at the trough to ensure their political and financial futures are secure. Those who voted in favor of the objection steeled their spine and chose the high road instead of corruption and greed. 

Unfortunately for us, the latter are an endangered species. And as a gentle reminder for those elected officials from North Carolina who lined up at the trough, North Carolina went for Trump, so you can imagine what we think of you.

Jonathan Varnell

Elm City