I write from Cambridge, England, where I’ve spent the last few winters with my British husband, blessed by the company of his extended family and many friends. With friends in France and Italy, too, I’ve been given a new understanding of my own country and our importance to the world.

It’s remarkable how well informed about America our European friends are. They admire and appreciate U.S. leadership on global issues and see us as a beacon of democracy. They’re also horrified by Putin’s aggression in Ukraine, on their doorstep, and deeply value President Biden’s inspiring so many nations to support Ukraine’s spirited resistance.

Thanks to the powerful presence of NATO, such an invasion of another country in Europe has been unthinkable for the last 70 years. But recently, the Republican front-runner encouraged Russia to “do whatever the hell they want” in NATO member countries that have not spent 2% of their GDP on defense. Soon after, his loyalists in Congress blocked essential assistance to Ukraine (funds that would be spent largely in the U.S.).

Our friends here in Europe look at what’s happening in the U.S. with bewilderment and horror. They ask me how it is possible that a criminally indicted person who led an insurrection to overthrow our electoral process three years ago — and has pledged to finish the destruction of our government once elected — can possibly be considered a serious candidate for president? I’m hard put to offer a rational response.

I hope my friends and neighbors in Maine are asking themselves the same question as they consider how they’re going to vote in November.

 

Susan Goodwillie Stedman

Westport Island

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