Do we remember, and can we connect the dots? Do you remember when in May of 2017 we saw then President Trump laughing at the White House with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. I was astonished and questioned how it could be, and what it meant.

Do you remember in July 2018 when the Republican president at that time sided with Putin and contradicted all U.S. intelligence agencies about Russia’s interference in the 2016 elections? I was shocked, and then dumbfounded that Republicans failed to respond appropriately.

Then in August 2018, the past Republican president threatened to leave NATO. He said others were not paying their share. I was shocked to see such public statements, and concerned that it would weaken a military alliance that, in fact, protects the United States. Sure, others should pay their share, but one never airs disputes in a way that weakens your alliances and strengthens your adversaries. Where would this lead, I wondered?

We now see some of the results. An emboldened Russia threatens to invade the Ukraine, and we see a weakened NATO alliance, with Germany standing apart from other leading NATO countries. Why is this? I firmly believe it is because our past Republican president weakened our country – and worse yet – his political party enabled it. I believe that they did this, putting their personal interests above those of our country, and our security. Friends, we need to fix this. The Republican party is on the wrong track.

Michael Dimonte,

Cranberry Township