Bonnie Weston: What kind of country do we want to leave for our children?

To The Daily Sun,

Throughout my life, national events have often intersected with personal ones, shaping the way I see the world and the values I hold dear. At certain moments, the actions of our leaders have reflected and reinforced the principles I grew up with — while at other times, they have challenged me to speak out and take a stand.

The words of President Jimmy Carter about what is truly important in life sum up exactly how I feel. When I think of him, these are the qualities I associate with our 39th president: justice, truth, humility, service, compassion, and love. These are the values I was raised with and have tried to live by throughout my life — both as a teacher and as a member of my community.

Watching President Carter’s quiet strength and unwavering commitment to others made a deep impression on me. He led with moral clarity and kindness, reminding the nation that leadership is not about power, but about service.

In contrast, President Donald Trump’s approach to leadership has made me more aware of the importance of those values. His treatment of immigrants who have come to our country seeking safety and a better life has been deeply troubling. His policies have created fear among hardworking citizens and those striving to secure their citizenship.

Many families have been living in a constant state of anxiety, afraid to go to work, school, church, or even the grocery store for fear of being detained or separated. It breaks my heart to see people in our communities living with such uncertainty.

For me, this moment isn’t only about politics — it’s about the kind of country we want to leave for our children and grandchildren. These are lessons of leadership, whether modeled by President Carter or seen in contrast to others.

Bonnie Weston

Meredith