Watching the images of the demolition of the White House exterior walls on the evening news deeply saddened me.

I remember visiting the White House over 60 years ago, which at that time was, and I believe still is, nicknamed “The People’s House,” with my family when I was only 10 years old. I was in absolute awe. So, today, this violent, destructive action seems to me like a desecration of a venerated national monument.

Even if people don’t care about the historical significance of this once wonderful structure, wouldn’t they question the wisdom of an irresponsible action — taken in the midst of a government shutdown, when good people are being laid off, fired or not receiving paychecks — to be allocating millions upon millions of dollars, attaching a monstrous and totally unnecessary 1,000-person capacity ballroom? Why? For whom? So much for “The People’s House.”

The “People’s House” will be, unfortunately, but just for a short while, the Grandiose Royal Ballroom of the Privileged and Powerful but will be, no doubt, shuttered and closed out of embarrassment by future presidential administrations.

Our Founding Fathers are turning over in their graves. No longer a 10-year-old, I realize I am still in awe, but for all the wrong reasons.

Louis Phillips
Windham