Extremism is being met with extremism

As an independent, I am frequently caught in the middle but now it’s getting absurd. Moderation is in order. The right wants pride in America and chooses to reduce focus on racial differences, but then they go too far — attacking anything using a list of “DEI words” which are often valuable research or showing the firsts for American people of color or women. It’s “not going further down a road” versus “undoing progress made.”

It is reasonable to check whose visas have expired and investigate whether they have committed any serious crimes. But to go after international students without just cause creates fear in a population that we desperately need in our country because of the academic and real work they do for us, the money they bring to us, but also to allow them to see and enjoy the freedoms of America. It’s common sense to assess budgets, reassess needs and try to reduce our national debt. But to arbitrarily cut budgets without an assessment of impact or to redirect funds toward anything but the debt, is reckless. Europe should contribute its share, but we should never turn against our allies.

We are a country of hope, freedoms, the law; not fear, manipulation and retribution. The right should see that they have gone too far. Common sense is too rare on both sides; we need the people to come to the center or the government never will. The reaction to extremism is always extremism.

Karen Torno Fashimpaur

Cedar Rapids