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Letter: The Growing Calamity of Governance on a Whim
Impulsive leadership and blind loyalty threaten American democracy, says Anchorage resident.
Apr. 12, 2026 at 6:25pm
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A quiet, cinematic scene of a deserted political office space reflects the growing unease over impulsive leadership and its impact on American democracy.Anchorage TodayIn a letter to the editor, an Anchorage resident expresses concern over the growing trend of impulsive and loyalty-driven decision-making by political leaders, which they argue is detrimental to American democracy. The letter cites several examples of unqualified individuals being placed in positions of power due to their loyalty to the president, rather than their ability to make measured decisions for the benefit of the country.
Why it matters
The letter highlights the dangers of prioritizing personal loyalty over competence and the collective good in political leadership. It argues that impulsivity and blind loyalty can lead to global unrest, international isolation, and the undermining of democratic institutions.
The details
The letter writer, Greg Beltz from Anchorage, Alaska, criticizes the Trump administration's tendency to reward loyalty over qualifications when appointing individuals to positions of power. He cites examples such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Pete Hegseth, Kristi Noem, Raj Patel, and Howard Lutnick as being 'wholly unqualified to deliver measured decisions for the American people.' Beltz argues that this 'kakistocracy' - the placement of incompetent individuals in positions of power - is driven by Trump's 'fervent greed and lust for power' and has 'infected other politicians' who now exhibit similar impulsive and loyalty-driven behavior.
- The letter was published on April 12, 2026.
The players
Greg Beltz
An Anchorage, Alaska resident who wrote the letter to the editor expressing concerns over impulsive and loyalty-driven political leadership.
Donald Trump
The former president whose impulsivity and tendency to reward loyalty over competence is criticized in the letter.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
An individual cited as being unqualified for a position of power due to his loyalty to the former president.
Pete Hegseth
An individual cited as being unqualified for a position of power due to his loyalty to the former president.
Kristi Noem
An individual cited as being unqualified for a position of power due to her loyalty to the former president.
Raj Patel
An individual cited as being unqualified for a position of power due to his loyalty to the former president.
Howard Lutnick
An individual cited as being unqualified for a position of power due to his loyalty to the former president.
What they’re saying
“Impulsive behavior is typically considered a problematic urge under most scenarios. So how is it that anyone is surprised by the calamity that befalls our national and global interests from the myriad impulsive actions of this administration?”
— Greg Beltz, Anchorage Resident
“Placing incompetent individuals into positions of power (kakistocracy) and allowing them to make decisions driven by spite and retribution or fringe ideology is simply detrimental to our democracy.”
— Greg Beltz, Anchorage Resident
“Impulsivity and blind loyalty will get you in trouble, and it is not a trait that we should ever want to support in our democratically elected leaders.”
— Greg Beltz, Anchorage Resident
The takeaway
This letter highlights the growing concerns over the dangers of impulsive and loyalty-driven decision-making in American politics. It serves as a warning to voters to carefully consider the qualifications and decision-making abilities of political candidates, rather than simply rewarding blind loyalty, in order to protect the integrity of democratic institutions.
