Changing political landscape

Editor,

Thanks, Mark Simon for your insights into the changing political landscape of California and the United States. The areas you discuss including Grass Valley and Neveda City, though often voting conservative, were also enclaves of liberal thinking and social laissez faire. Now rancor and divisiveness are pervasive and not just in the new subdivisions but throughout the United States. How scary when humanity, ethics and social justice are feared and only real estate and stock prices are safe subjects of conversation. I also remember when wearing the Amercian flag was considered desecrating it. Now people wear American flag underwear proudly, proclaiming they have a monopoly on patriotism. When I see the flag worn as a message of solidarity among those who would promote guns and blind allegiance to questionable concepts yet deny others voting or basic human rights, I’m saddened. But I have faith that the revolutionary spirit of Abbie Hoffman will prevail just as his fashion statement has.