While I do not pretend to be politician, I have lived in Taiwan for four years and have an understanding of the Free Chinese.

I am also a teacher.

These two life experiences qualify my opinion on the current choices of the American politicians who are allegedly trained for their professions.

The Speaker of the House Taiwan visit strategy is upsetting. It seems like a playground game of show-off, using the beautiful, creative, and independent people living on Taiwan as pawns in their irresponsible show-off antics.

Bullies on the “playground” are watching and irritated that a show-off is suddenly taking center stage. There will need to be retaliation for the bully to reassert their assumed position of power.

Sadly, the Taiwanese people may eventually pay for this charade.

Heidi Simmons

Stonington