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An acquaintance, a conservative Republican, has asked me how I could be an Air Force fighter pilot and also a Democrat. (I pointed out that there are several of us in the area).

I explained that I started voting Democratic in 1960 when John Kennedy, a war hero, was running for president. JFK said something earlier about how Republicans were only interested in themselves and their money while Democrats were actually concerned about helping those less fortunate in our society. (So true with the current health care bill.)

I have also wondered why, in addition to Donald Trump (medical deferments), an inordinate number of conservative leaders have never served in our armed forces. In our Idaho Legislature there are few, if any, veterans. (George Eskridge of Dover, was one.)

Over the 4th of July, I reflected that today, in this divided country, there is a message from that young president (who also founded the Peace Corps) that may resonate with the “America First” and “Let’s Make America Great Again” people, and that is, “Don’t ask what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

JAMES W. RAMSEY

Kootenai