Dear Editor,

An old friend and I were reminiscing about the “good-ole-days” – varied topics and memories woven, without symmetry, covering the period beginning around 1952 when we were classmates in pre-first (now known as kindergarten), in the small community of Arroyo Seco, New Mexico (a “suburb” of Taos).

The minutiae and history of the intervening years (1952 through 2024) notwithstanding, within 15 minutes of our greeting we were immersed in ‘the-topic-of-the-day’ –  what will the U.S. be like in 4 years? You would be forgiven for asking what two “old guys” from, arguably one of the most secluded places in the country, northern New Mexico, have to say about the welfare of our nation and international implications of our recent Presidential elections. Plenty!

The conversation was long, informative, enjoyable and obviously without resolution - resolution to what? Well, many things, but the “universality” of party affiliation as Democrats was the least visceral of the entire conversation. I shared with my friend my not-so-vivid recollection of Dad’s and Grampo’s excitement of Eisenhower’s second Presidential win in 1956 – vague recollections later in life of my father’s and grandfather’s affiliation with the Republican party.

My wife and I often talk about our shared experiences living in the Washington, D.C. metro-area during the 1968 “Vietnam-war riots” through the Nixon resignation in 1974. Those “old” conversations always include what have become anecdotal components of our political conversations related to living in the D.C. area. Prominent among those anecdotes continues to be: “The rancor of politics and political affiliation in those times was not as prevalent or at least not as ‘public’ as they are today,” I say with my tongue firmly pressed against my left cheek.  “Republicans were different then,” we say – purposely ignoring vestiges of the Democratic party.

My childhood friend and I ended our conversation with his mild admonishment and reminder that “this pendulum too will eventually swing back.”  I desperately wish I could share my friend’s sentiments. I don’t. In my view, a grave decision has been made by a “slim” majority of Americans. My sons and my 2 grandsons will have to bear the burdens visited upon them by the extra-constitutional, imprudent and damaging decisions and acts committed by the incoming President and his administration. I hope I’m wrong.

Rudy V. Garcia

Gilpin County