To The Reader’s Forum:

Thanks to Forbes.com for publishing approximately 30 separate investigations AGAINST Donald Trump. Some came before he was elected president, others were initiated while president, but the most serious, those that carry the potential for jail time, occurred after his presidency.

Why my concern over Trump? First, it’s hard to understand, much less accept, that there are voters who support Trump. True, he has yet to be indicted for criminal conduct, and any proven or alleged misconduct has “only” been of the civil variety, thus can be described as “political” in nature. The question is, “Would you vote for a family member who has lost several lawsuits and is under criminal investigation?” If not, why Trump and/or his supporters?

Second, before Trump alleged “fraud” before, during and since his presidency, did you also believe there was ongoing “widespread fraud” in our elections? I presume the answer is “no”. Thus, it’s hard to support, or vote for anyone who believes Trump lost the 2020 election due to fraud. Simply not winning a second term is usually due to the candidate, not the electoral system, that is, until certain recent states changed voting laws. We’ll see.

Third, there is belief that “democracy” in the U.S. is in jeopardy should candidates for Congress who support Trump or Trumpism are elected in 2022 and 2024. In other words, who is to say there won’t be a second assault on the U.S. Capitol, and/or the government in an attempt to force anti-democratic values on the country?

Trump has embraced the values of Q-Anon, white supremacists, racists and other “fringe” groups for which many regular, policy-oriented voters have aligned, if nothing more than as enablers. How is it possible that anti-democratic “fringe” groups have become much more “normal”? Thus, if you don’t support “fringe” groups how can you elect their leaders?

My overall concern is that, common policy matters aside, people are voting as if “democracy” is a second, or lower, matter to them. During my 54 voting years I have accepted vote counts as a democratic value regardless of who won. “Patriotism” is partially defined as “…”loyalty to the nation and its values but not the leaders if they hold different values.” I feel that by supporting and upholding American “democracy”, I am an American patriot. I hope you feel the same.

Jamestown