DEAR EDITOR:

Late last month, a thunderstorm rumbled through the Mahoning Valley and I can’t imagine I was the only one who considered it unusual weather for late February in Northeast Ohio. Our changing climate has thoughtful people wondering what steps we might take, both individually and collectively, to address this reality and the danger it poses immediately and for future generations. Threats such as this understandably lead us to expect action from governmental leaders as well, since they control the resources necessary to respond to matters that affect the common good.

Despite ongoing media stories that seem to suggest otherwise, I remain convinced the vast majority of people in the United States are thoughtful, compassionate, generous souls who recognize their well-being is bound to everyone else’s, who are willing to appreciate that what we have in common far outweighs our distinctions.

Although we seem to take our democracy for granted, citizens of this nation value the opportunity to let their voices be heard and, in many situations, are willing to do the hard work needed to find common ground even where there are substantive disagreements. Most of us, I believe, would agree it is not a perfect system, yet one worth maintaining, and certainly preferable by far to an authoritarian or dictatorial mode of government.

If this is anywhere close to an accurate assessment of our population, it is also likely most of us are exhausted with the drama, the angry rhetoric, continuing falsehoods over imagined crimes, endless claims of victimization and persecution, angry promises of retribution and punishment over perceived wrongs.

I do not offer unquestioned backing to the current administration, nor do I know of anyone who does; such fealty is dangerous and has no place in a system such as ours. Furthermore, many people for whom I care deeply have expressed legitimate, heartfelt complaints about being neglected and ignored for too long by political leaders, and I stand with them in their need, their right to be heard and represented in government at all levels.

I am also hopeful — or naive — enough to believe the hard work of listening to each other will bear fruit, something most politicians are unwilling or unable to engage in. A rapidly warming planet is but one of a long list of issues and concerns for which our nation rightfully demands attention. As the clock ticks down to election day, may our thoughtful concern for our common good prevail through the coming storms.

JOHN POLANSKI

Mineral Ridge