To the editor:

Many of us are concerned that family and friends we love have become obsessed with conspiracy theories and unverified information circulating on social media, the dark web and right-wing media. Perhaps revelations coming from a long-time ardent fan of Trump, like Marjorie Taylor Greene, will make a difference?

Marjorie Taylor Greene aligned herself with QAnon, an online network claiming a global cabal of Satan-worshipping cannibals, including Democrat politicians, are operating a child sex trafficking ring. (Remember “Pizzagate?”) Many MAGA voters still believe such things to this day.

But Marjorie Taylor Greene no longer does. Why? In her words, “I got sucked into some things I had seen on the internet.”

1. You may know someone who clings to conspiracy theories; convinced there’s an evil Democrat Deep State undermining America. But if Marjorie Taylor Greene has seen through the lies circulating on unregulated, for-profit Internet websites, maybe some of our loved ones will as well.

2. You may know someone who aligns with the Christian Nationalist movement. They’re convinced that Christianity is America’s only true religion and that Trump must stay in power at any cost because he’s their long-awaited “savior who will deliver us from evil.”

Marjorie Taylor Greene spoke out about her continued faith in God. But she will no longer worship at the altar of Trump. Maybe others will come to realize that religion is personal, not political.

3. You may know someone who thinks capitalism — rather than a constitutional democracy — is our form of government. That’s obviously what a billionaire-funded, corporate-friendly GOP has been saying for years. But the reality is that after Reagan granted huge tax cuts to the rich, the promised “trickle-down effect” never occurred. Instead, once again, capitalism has created a huge wealth-gap here in America.

Marjorie Taylor Greene had an epiphany on that as well. Now she realizes that putting corporate profit over the welfare of real people is harmful.

Project 2025 and the Big Beautiful Bill have already made major cuts to programs the majority of citizens either need or value: Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, the Consumer Protection Agency, Department of Education, cancer research, NPR, PBS, infrastructure grants, air travel safety, National Parks and museums, the Council of the Arts, farm subsidies, food and drug monitoring, EPA standards, healthcare subsidies, home heating assistance, SNAP and veteran disability benefits.

The wealthy don’t need any of those government programs. But, every-day working people deserve to be supported and protected in a democracy that balances tax wealth appropriately.

Marjorie Taylor Greene had the integrity to say that she’s realized how the actions and lies of Trump, his GOP, his administration of millionaire/billionaire friends and unelected influencers are hurting America and its citizens.

Maybe additional devout Trump/GOP fans will be more open to re-thinking their political take on things as Marjorie Taylor Greene has done. And maybe we can again find commonality in the compassionate political principles we share with family, friends and community members we love.

Martha Hodges

Massena