To the editor:

In his recent column, Barry Bardone continues a familiar years long trend: critiquing a version of Democrats that only he seems to recognize. But I’m not sure which Democrats he’s talking to–if any. I don’t know a single one who resembles the cartoonish caricature he constantly peddles. What he offers isn’t objective political analysis–it’s purely a figment of his imagination.

I’ll concede this much: Mr. Bardone isn’t entirely wrong about one thing. I’m also disgusted that Biden’s condition was hidden by his inner circle. If Democrats had been given the chance for a real primary, the winner of that race might well be president today. Ironically, that concealment helped pave the way for a convicted felon’s return to the White House–something Mr. Bardone should be celebrating.

And let’s be honest: Trump isn’t exactly getting sharper with age. He’s pushing 80, confuses world leaders and has been caught nodding off in public settings on numerous occasions. Mr. Bardone’s blind loyalty to “Dear Leader” Trump, while nitpicking Biden’s every flaw, isn’t just hypocritical–it’s laughable.

Mr. Bardone also repeatedly throws out dubious claims about Biden’s alleged “corruption,” but the GOP-led House investigated him for two years and found NOTHING. Meanwhile, Trump openly salivates over a $400 million airplane from a foreign government–one that isn’t even necessarily an ally. Quite simply, it’s a bribe in plain sight. If that doesn’t qualify as corruption, then nothing does. It’s also a blatant violation of the Constitution–making his actions not just unethical, but illegal.

Putting “America First” has only put America last. Our post-WWII allies are turning away from us, our global credibility is shrinking fast and we’re picking fights with the other 96% of the world’s population. That’s not leadership–it’s isolation and arrogance.

Mr. Bardone’s claim about South African refugees is also both wrong and soaked in racial bias. These are not persecuted individuals, as he suggests, but an excuse to prioritize white applicants over those far more deserving–people who risked their lives supporting U.S. troops and who, not coincidentally, aren’t white. Anyone over ten can see what this policy is really about.

Democrats don’t hate America and aren’t confused or angry as Mr Bardone repeatedly claims–what we hate are habitual liars, serial grifters and policies designed to serve only the ultra-wealthy. We expect our leaders to have compassion, decency and a code ethics. We also expect them to have a moral compass and to not enrich themselves for personal gain while in office. That’s not “derangement”–it’s clarity.

So the next time Mr. Bardone feels the urge to speak for Democrats, let a real one set the record straight. Barry, your endless stream of grievance, made-up statistics and performative outrage isn’t just dishonest–it’s corrosive. This kind of toxic rhetoric doesn’t elevate debate, it poisons it. Honest discourse requires facts and good faith. What Mr. Bardone delivers is a steady diet of delusion and division.

Don’t take the bait–and don’t mistake his nonsense for truth.

Eddie Abdalla

Chairman

Jefferson County Democratic Party