For 22 years I have been fortunate to live here in Wallowa County — actually the longest time I have spent in any one spot. It seemed like it took a long time to feel accepted as anything but a “newbie,” but now I am officially declaring myself a time-tested Wallowa Countian. As such, I am also a proud Oregonian and American. My great-grandfather and great-grandmother, along with a dozen or so offspring, not to mention a variety of relatives, traveled across the United States to Wallowa County about 150 or so years ago.

As a result, it seems to me that I have an affinity with everyone in the county. Of course, by now hundreds or so have gone on to other Eastern Oregon places, not to mention the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

It doesn’t seem out of place to feel that we are pretty much “cousins.” We breathe the same air, drink and bathe in the same water and share the same climate. We have the same opportunities to vote for our leaders, educate our children and choose our places of worship. I’ve even noticed lately gatherings where (although it took two or three meetings) we came to an understanding of ideas and plans for the future.

I know for sure, that it is not always this idyllic and sometimes we just don’t seem to agree on anything.

But, I think it is possible to better understand each other. A few years ago, a former leader of the Republican Party said, “Americans need to come to agreement on what kind of country we want to live in.” Just this past week, the current president of our country said that the most important question for the American people is, “Who are we?” We cannot make these important decisions without talking to each other.

I would like to see a bunch of letters to the editor responding to these two questions.

Evelyn Swart

Joseph