Watching the campaign ads for the upcoming election is an amazing experience akin to reading “Alice in Wonderland.” Candidates repeatedly tell us to disregard what we know to be true, pay no mind to their prior actions and words, and believe that they are new and improved people.

I was taught that the Ten Commandments were the core of both the Jewish and Christian beliefs. In a mind-spinning reversal, evangelicals are now touting candidates who flout these tenets – and even brag about it. They seem willing to forgive the most egregious actions of unrepentant, immoral people as long as they are from their political party.

We also were taught, “Learn from your mistakes and don’t repeat them.” We are forever trying to teach students how to think and learn all the things they should know to become responsible adults. What are they to do with that knowledge if we then show them by our actions and our votes that thinking doesn’t matter, science can’t be trusted and democracy can be ignored? Are we really showing them that ignorance is fine and repeatedly electing people who have proven by their actions that they are incompetent and untrustworthy is OK?

It is not “woke” to teach that science is evidence-based and our history is rife with bigotry. Knowledge is the power to change, to learn from our past and not continue to do the same things over and over and expect a different outcome.

Susan Chichetto
Bath