To the Editor:

It’s increasingly painful to realize that, as American citizens, we live in two very different nations, ones marked by polar opposite viewpoints.

Christopher Longo describes a country that “has been a beacon to the world because of our individualism and unique contributions” [“Opinion: Keep Socialism as Far Away from Guilderland as Possible,” The Altamont Enterprise, Jan. 8, 2026].

I hate to break it to Mr. Longo, who perhaps needs to get out a little more, but the U.S. of A. is currently in extremely low standing globally.

Whatever positive image our nation once possessed as a welcoming place for immigrants and their dreams has been tarnished, perhaps irrevocably, by a government dedicated to lawlessness, bullying, and a betrayal of core American ideals of pluralism and tolerance.

Longo also sends up a flair against New York City’s mayor, Zohran Mamdani (whom he oddly refuses to name), describing him as a threat for championing collectivism as a societal good. Longo perceives this collectivism as one of “command and harsh force, leaving no room for freedom, original thought, or happiness.”

That sentiment seems wildly disconnected from how many New Yorkers actually live and what they believe, and not just in the city. In fact, to my ears it sounds like Longo is describing the recent antics of forces of so-called law and order in Minneapolis and elsewhere.

How to bridge the gap between these worlds-apart visions for our nation? I have no idea.

But one place to start is to try dropping the stereotypical, knee-jerk defenses around words like “socialism” and make an effort to understand ways of thinking and being that may not adhere to your own — ones that could ultimately improve the lives of others, who may be less fortunate than yourself.

Thinking of others in that compassionate way is, in fact, what collectivism is all about.

Katherine Dieckmann

Westerlo