Dear editor,
At a recent rally, President Trump declared something he's said before: “I hate Democrats.”
He didn't just say it once, he said it several times. The crowd cheered. Some laughed. But I sat with it. Not the politics of it — but the heart of it.
Because here's the question I think we all need to ask ourselves: Does hate help?
Recently I attended a local GOP meeting. I hoped to hear ideas. Solutions. I hoped to feel a sense of unity — Wyomingites coming together around shared values like faith, family, and freedom.
Instead, what I witnessed was a room where hostility outshouted hope. There was more focus on enemies and rules than on answers. More time spent tearing down others than building anything lasting.
The different sides of the room actually hate each other, how sad. What are we missing? Do we even care about unity anymore?
And this is bigger than one meeting or one quote. It's a reflection of something spreading through the political bloodstream of our nation—and yes, our own backyard.
We’ve come to treat politics like war, and opponents like enemies.
But let me be clear: Democrats are not the enemy. Republicans are not the enemy. Hate is the enemy, evil is the enemy. Because hate robs us of clarity, of compassion, and of any shot at meaningful solutions.
I’m not asking anyone to compromise their convictions. I’m a conservative because I believe deeply in personal responsibility, local control, strong families, and real freedom — the kind that doesn’t need permission. But if my beliefs require me to hate my neighbor, then I’ve missed the mark.
There is no power in hate. Only noise.
Have we lost civility and human kindness? Leadership should never be about stoking division. It should be about standing in the gap, listening deeply, and serving boldly.
When we lead from hate, we become reactive instead of creative. We stop solving problems and start settling scores. And the people — especially the most vulnerable among us — are the ones who pay the price.
I want to see us build a future for Wyoming where we raise up courageous leaders who love this state and the people in it — all the people. Because the truth is, Wyoming deserves better than performative rage and soundbite battles.
If we want to do something different, we have to be something different. Let’s lead with conviction, not contempt. Let’s disagree with decency. Let’s outwork, outthink, and out-love the political chaos — not join it.
Hate may raise money. It may drive headlines. But it will never build lasting freedom, it will never help us love our neighbor, of which there is no greater commandment.
And Wyoming is worth so much more than that. If you are reading this, you are worth more than that too. We may not always agree, but we can agree to respect each other as human beings.
Sincerely,
Joseph Kibler, Cheyenne
