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The choice in the coming election couldn’t be clearer.
From the Democrats, we have Kamala Harris — a distinguished, honorable public servant — who, at every opportunity, expresses her love of country and her desire to make America greater and to bring us together as a people, the hallmarks of a true and patriotic leader. From the Republicans, we have Donald Trump — a convicted felon — who, seemingly at every opportunity, expresses his apparent contempt for America, our cities, our institutions, our traditions, our laws, our Constitution, our friends abroad and half our people. He teaches us to hate one another. As a leader, it seems he knows only how to incite a mob.
The Republicans chose Trump to be their leader, and most faithfully praise him and emulate his supposed greatness. They must admire his qualities. This is all we really need to know to make the right choices in November.
U.S. Sen. Margaret Chase Smith is remembered and revered by Mainers for her courage in standing up to fellow Republican U.S. Sen. Joe McCarthy, who I believe was a vile demagogue like Trump. In a famous speech before the Senate on June 1, 1950, she declared, “I don’t want to see the Republican Party ride to political victory on the Four Horsemen of Calumny — Fear, Ignorance, Bigotry, and Smear.”
It is saddening to realize that this is seemingly all the Republican Party offers us today: “Fear, Ignorance, Bigotry, and Smear.” Were she still with us today, Smith would very likely be weeping in sorrow for her party.
Michael P. Bacon
Westbrook
