I am writing in response to the Feb. 11 letter from Lyle Hughes, “Not sick of winning”]. In his letter he states that “real Americans aren’t sick of winning” and that “Patriots want President Trump to succeed.”

I would like to know what the letter writer’s idea of a real American is. I am the wife of a man 100% disabled from Vietnam, the daughter of a World War II veteran who, along with six of his brothers, saw active combat duty. I am the granddaughter of a decorated World War I veteran and great-great-granddaughter of a Civil War veteran, who served alongside four brothers.

I am the aunt and grand-aunt of three men who have served in the Marines, two of whom saw combat duty in the Middle East. And, I have served this country as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ghana.

I would like to think that this qualifies me as a real American and a patriot, and yet I do not want to see Trump succeed in what he is doing to this country under the pretense of “America First.” I also would like to point out to Mr. Hughes that I am not whining, but merely expressing my fears for what I see happening.

Among the things I see happening is a decimation of the federal workforce. I will not deny that there is waste in government spending and that there are some workers who should be let go. But to fire people wholesale is not the answer, nor will this increase government efficiency.

People who have dedicated their entire careers to working for the government have been bombarded with nightly emails (always sent after working hours, under cover of darkness) that basically are telling these people that they are unnecessary and lazy, and thus will be fired unless they resign and take a buyout that may or may not exist.

This is personal for me because I have family members who are in the federal workforce and now face huge uncertainties in their lives. Anyone who believes that this is a way to put America first has his head in the sand and is choosing to ignore what is happening around him.

Other events are equally troubling. We have made an enemy of one of our closest friends and staunchest allies in Canada. I know several Canadians and they are greatly dismayed by Trump’s actions and by his marginalizing them by saying he will make their entire country into one state.

Canadians are galvanizing against the United States. Trump is alienating other allies as well, both in Europe and the Middle East.

Trump is also mocking our rule of law, choosing to defy judicial rulings. And, the Republicans in both chambers of Congress are allowing him to take away powers that belong to the Senate and House, completely ignoring the checks and balances set forth in the Constitution.

Rather than applaud the judges that have bravely ventured to put a stop to Trump’s abuse of power, some GOP politicians are calling for these judges to be impeached. Trump has allowed a foreign national with no security clearance access to some of our country’s most sensitive databases. Elon Musk also is instrumental in dismantling oversight agencies, particularly those who happen to be investigating illegal actions and fraud perpetrated by him.

Trump’s cessation of DEI considerations will deny many capable people from obtaining meaningful jobs that could benefit society as a whole. This is but a partial list of what deeply troubles me about the direction in which Trump is leading us.

I ask, how exactly has the lives of those supporting Trump improved now that he is in office? Give me tangible ways that affect you personally.

Have his policies improved your standard of living? Have they reined in inflation? Have they opened up new opportunities for you and your family? More importantly, have they made you a kinder, more understanding person?

Are you so intent on “putting America first” that you are willing to turn your back on the compassion that has in the past truly made this country great?

Elizabeth Lareau Whitcomb lives in Northfield.