To the Editor:

I have often stated that nations, states, or localities get the type of government they deserve. When people elect, or allow others to elect by not voting, amoral, unethical, greedy, racist, sexist, ignorant people and liars to positions of public trust, we get a government that reflects these traits. This is expressed in the legislation they draft and pass or fail to draft and pass, in the policies they enforce or do not enforce, by the people they hire and surround themselves with, by the judges they appoint, and by their own personal behavior.

While we may get the type of government we deserve because of our republic system of government, it is not the type of government the majority of Americans actually choose or desire.

Currently, all three branches of the American Federal Government — the Executive, Legislative and Judicial — are controlled by the minority, and reflect the views and policies of the minority of the most extreme Americans. Donald Trump was "elected" by a minority of the popular vote. Democratic House candidates received a greater share of the votes in 2016 than seats in the House of Representatives. (Cook Political Report) In the Senate, the 47 Democratic Senators (not including the 2 Independents) represent vastly more Americans than does the 51 Republican Senators. For example, liberal California with a population of 39 million has two Senators, while 7 conservative states in the northwest and mid-west with a total population of 6.2 million have 14 senators. By 2040, 66 percent of Americans will be represented by only 30% of the Senators. (Washington Post) And as a result of the Trump minority election win and the Senate representing a minority of the total populations views, we now have a Supreme Court that also reflects the views of the very conservative minority of Americans.

America is now controlled and governed by the minority. While most Americans support a women's choice regarding reproduction, believe in climate change, want improved access to health care, support Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, want to protect the environment, want quality public education, support equal rights, want fair tax laws, want more gun safety legislation, and oppose much of what our government is doing in our name, it is the views of the most extreme of the minority of our country who are directing our policies and our future. No nation which calls itself a Democratic Republic can long survive under such control over the large majority by the minority. Only in a dictatorship or a Monarchy can such a system survive. Is this where we are heading?

Rich DiPentima, Portsmouth