Dear America,

This is not an easy letter to write. We’ve all been so emotional lately and our relationship has become unhealthy. When I was a child I loved you with a pure and unquestioning love. In the 90s, I helped paint our town Red, White, and Blue every year. The parades in your honor were so much fun! As a teenager, I grew a bit concerned when you started to prefer the company of bullies and always hanging out with Margaret Thatcher and Gorbachev. We are often judged by the company we keep. Remember that saying? I heard it so much growing up. Your friendships with tyrannical dictators undermine your claims to support human rights.

Remember in 2001 when I needed you? Gosh, you were great! I was in a dark spot and when you offered salvation, it seemed like a dream come true. We had a beautiful ceremony where I pledged to love, honor, and obey you. If I never messed up, I would always have a home, a family, and food. Those were amazing times! We had so much fun! It still pains me that it ended and that my body disappointed you.

Some of your deceptions are coming to light. The first one for me, was September 11th. You told me that crazy terrorists attacked us because they hate Freedom and Democracy. You neglected to mention it was revenge for your mistakes in Afghanistan. Why did you pretend ignorance and cover it up? Did you really not expect me to find out? And then there was the time you lied about the WMDs. Did you know I helped spread that lie? I still feel guilt over my part in our continued destruction of Iraq. My husband nearly died there and some of our friends never came home.

A few years ago we talked about your fragile state and I agreed to do more. Instead of climbing the corporate ladder, I promised to pitch in and help influence the next generation for you. Rather than spending time with my family and my friends, I volunteer at food banks because you won’t feed everyone. I even risked blowing up my career because you said that I could make a difference. You said that if I put in the work and told you how to change that you would.

All those scars… all that damage… was it worth it? You’ve shown what a selfish asshole you are and that you won’t change. Not endorsing slavery in 1787 was a big deal but didn’t go far enough. It was great when you finally agreed to outlaw slavery in 1869 but you were one of the last to do it and pitched a pretty big fit. I’ll agree that I am demanding and that I have high expectations but you used to like that. In 2008, I was so hopeful. We were in a good place. While we were celebrating, you went right back to your old ways. In some cases, even worse than before.

We’ve spent so many hours discussing Civil Rights, Human Rights, Universal Suffrage while bonding over our shared love of technology. When you were younger, you had such ideals and optimism. I really thought you could reclaim those roots. I just don’t know how this can continue without revisiting our arrangement. One that acknowledges the humanity in everyone, that equitably finances the education of our youth and that empowers people rather than provide you with good workers. The way you allocate wealth has got to change, picking on poor people is just bad form — you’ve taken over countries for less.

I guess I’m just weary of all the hypocrisy. We need to firmly state boundaries again. If your position is that the rights of wealthy men matter most, just say it. I’m tired of the gaslighting and feeling like both the good guy and the bad guy all the time.