A former first lady speaks

Thank goodness for Gay White of Little Rock, the gracious spouse of the late Gov. Frank White.

Gay wrote a letter to the editor of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that was published Monday. The people who are most upset by the MAGA takeover of our state's political system are what I consider the REAL Republicans, those who toiled to build a two-party system when Arkansas was a solidly Democratic state.

They're upset that so many Arkansas don't realize that Trumpsters are neither Republican nor conservative. They're part of a cult of personality rather than having a real political ideology.

Sarah Sanders, for example, isn't a Republican governor; she isn't a conservative; she's a MAGA governor. The sooner we recognize that, the sooner we'll be able to restore some sanity to Arkansas politics.

Here's Gay's letter in case you missed it:

"My mother taught me many life lessons. I am grateful for her example and her wisdom. They still influence me today and have proven to be the right path for me. Mother told me, 'You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything.' She reminded me, 'You become like the company you keep.' She advised me to never 'go along just to get along.' She cautioned, 'You reap what you sow.' And she said, 'Gay, a good name is rather chosen than riches.' I suspect many of us were taught the same principles.

"I have been too timid to speak what has been in my heart. I admittedly wanted to keep the peace and avoid criticism. However, my conscience has propelled me to speak out. As Booker T. Washington said, 'A lie doesn't become truth, wrong doesn't become right, and evil doesn't become good just because it's accepted by a majority.'

"When my late husband Frank became the 41st governor of Arkansas, I had a profound sense of responsibility to our state's wonderful citizens. Upon attending the inauguration of Ronald Reagan as president, I found a renewed sense of responsibility to my country. America is a blessed nation founded on Judeo-Christian principles.

"With that in mind, I am at a loss in understanding how many Americans find it in their hearts to support Donald Trump as leader of our nation and the free world. He has lived a life that is the antithesis of the teachings we uphold. When rearing my children, I instilled the values and morals I was taught. I prayed God would bring people into their lives to be role models, mentors, counselors and valued leaders who exemplified integrity. I want the same for our country.

"I sincerely ask the people of Arkansas to consider the following: Is Trump who we want as a role model and mentor for our children, much less for ourselves? Do we want to emulate this man who degrades women? Do we respect a man who calls other human beings losers? Do we support a man who has been indicted in courts of law, yet acts as if he were above the law and a victim himself?

"For our own consciences, the future of our children, our state, our country, and our world, step back, take a breath, look in the mirror and honestly and prayerfully answer the above questions."