To the editor:

America has always had certain standards and precedents that most everyone believed in. But our politics have always been somewhat partisan and divided on issues. Now, Trump has taken our political differences to a whole new level. The norms and beliefs of the past that were the underpinnings of the country’s values have been blurred by Trump.

The arrival of the internet and instant communication has enabled Trump. This vehicle has allowed numerous kinds of messages to be available to the public around the clock. There is no time or means to quickly fact-check this constant barrage of information. Thus, a lot of misinformation and lies are easy to spread. This fits right into the character of Donald Trump. Because most of the American people fail to educate themselves on the news and issues happening in our country, it makes Trump’s radical behavior be more easily accepted.

The political and moral divide in this country is the worst since the Civil War. This comes at a time where there are many challenges and dangers to our world leadership. I fear that we do not have the moral compass of our forefathers to come together and meet these challenges. The polarization, distrust and hate that have infiltrated our society might be too integrated in our society to ever return to our time of greatness.

Larry Shade, Columbus

Send letters to [email protected] by noon Thursday before the date of intended publication (noon Wednesday on holiday weeks). Letters are the opinions of the writer. Letters must be signed by the author and include the writer’s town of residence and a contact number in case of questions.

Only one letter every two weeks, per writer, to allow for diversity of voices in the opinions section. Please be considerate of sharing space with other letter-writers and keep your comments concise and to the point. Avoid name-calling, accusations of criminal activity and second- and third-hand statements of “fact.”