We’ve all seen the tall, floppy balloon figures at car dealerships.

They remind me of one of our presidential candidates, bending over to the right to please his rich donors, flipping back up in the air waving his small arms, bowing low to the left to his misguided followers, and back up flopping his tiny arms high up toward the sky.

Then we have a sturdy red, white and blue post being battered by the winds of discontent, bracing her back while fending off hateful criticism, but still standing upright as the rock-throwing crowds try to knock her down. She remains strong to face another day filled with cold, cruel words.

I would much rather stand by a strong post with a substantial core of morality and decency than a tall, floppy balloon filled with nothing but hot air.

Carole Richards, Livermore