‘We the People’ deserve what we allow

This election has demonstrated the worst behavior our elected officials have to offer us. As constituents, we bear a collective responsibility to demand a standard of conduct that reflects the values of our community and upholds the dignity of our democratic process. We have stood by and allowed these individuals to act like children. It is behavior we wouldn’t allow our kids to display! It is disheartening to witness officials resorting to language that not only demeans their opponents but also spreads division and mistrust among the very people they are meant to serve. Sadly neither party is without fault.

The result of this vicious, childish behavior has had a chilling effect on our relationships with neighbors and friends; and we now find ourselves mimicking these caustic activities. When officials resort to derogatory language and personal attacks, it not only undermines the integrity of our political system but has resulted in universal feelings of anxiety, anger, and helplessness.

What is most disheartening is that few if any members of either party have demonstrated the courage to call out those within their ranks who display this vitriol. This election cycle we can look back and see clearly how words do matter and how enemies of the democratic process can view with triumph on what we the people have accomplished for them.

— Tom Combs, Bend

Vander Kamp has been a dedicated deputy

It comes as no surprise that the current race for Deschutes County sheriff has evolved into a highly charged political battle. This is especially true when you have two candidates who are both in the same agency. The harmful issue here is the blatant interference by Sheriff Shane Nelson where he has made no secret of his preference for the job. Having been through a sheriff’s race years ago as a member of the sheriff’s office, I saw first hand just how nasty it can become. In this writer’s opinion, Nelson is using his bully pulpit to exact revenge against Vander Kamp. The history of the sheriff’s office clearly shows that Nelson’s actions are motivated by his personal bias. Vander Kamp has been a dedicated member of the sheriff’s department for many years. According to Nelson, Vander Kamp is suddenly unworthy of his job. Volunteer work for a sheriff’s office is not prior employment, it is unpaid work for which he is now being criticized for not listing that when hired by the sheriff’s office. He has demonstrated that he is a great officer and is not being held to some arbitrary standard by none other than the sheriff. Nelson has failed to show transparency in his actions and it has cost the sheriff’s office a good amount of money.

Moving forward, the sheriff’s office would benefit by some healing and restoration of trust. This entire situation sits right at Nelson’s feet.

The men and women of this department deserve better.

— Owen Herberg, Sisters

Liberal agenda and Donald Trump

I agree 100% with Wally Long’s recent letter. The Bulletin along with the majority of other mainstream publications has gone to the dark side leaning way to the left. They push the liberal agenda with very little to say about the conservative side. This goes back to the 2020 elections. Mark Zuckerberg said that the Biden/Harris Whitehouse pressured him to censor Republican, conservative postings about COVID.

Just some of the things the Biden/Harris administration has done in the last three and a half years.

1. Inflation has reached levels not seen in decades. The middle class has suffered greatly.

2. Gas prices doubled during their tenure.

3. The invasion of illegals into our country is being permitted with disastrous consequences. Kamala Harris saying if Trump were elected we would no longer have a democracy is the highest form of hypocrisy.

4. Comparing what we had when Donald Trump was leading this wonderful country of ours, Donald Trump is our only really reasonable choice. It scares me to even think that Kamala would be leading us. She’s had a couple of interviews, but it’s obvious her party is keeping her from any kind of press conference unscripted with the Q&A. The only thing I know for sure from her is that she was born in a middle-class family.

That are just some of the reasons why I’m voting for Donald Trump.

— Charlie Thompson, Bend

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