To the Editor,

Every election has its anxieties and fears but not attacks on the very foundation of our democratic nation. We have just gone thru a very significant trial of an ex-president who was found guilty of all 34 counts of a felony indictment. The trial was a model in professionalism by judge, prosecutors, witnesses and especially the jury whose rapt attention to the facts overrode any challenges by the defense. Our country won this round.

The rocky road ahead is still rocky since the believers of the losing side cannot accept the honest application of the rule of law, the very foundation of democracy. The Republican Speaker of the House immediately came to the defense of ex-president Trump with no data to back up his claims. Although silent so far, the Supreme Court will no doubt be pressured to follow suit since enough of them are in the same camp.

Most distressing is that post trial polls show little, if any change as though having a convicted felon on the ballot for the most powerful position in the world is no big deal. Fortunately, polls are not elections so the matter really falls on the voters to put our country back on track. We know, however, that the avid Trump segment of the Republican voters will use every trick to prevent a Biden Democrat win, including a repeat of January 6 or worse.

There are several significant events coming up requiring our attention – the Biden/ Trump debates, Republican and Democrat conventions, more Trump trials, the wars in Israel and Ukraine, natural disasters etc. are all tests for those running for office. Paying close attention to contender’s response makes it easier to make intelligent decisions at the ballot box.

Changing subjects, in earlier letters I have expressed pride in the progressive programs Democrat Presidents and Legislators have put into effect for all to enjoy, most importantly civil rights for minorities and women, education opportunities, health and other social safety net programs. I expected responses from Republican counterparts and State Senator Utke with a list of Republican accomplishments over the same period. Didn’t get that probably because there weren’t any to speak of. Instead, there were the same tired rants about Democrats investing too much and raising taxes. The Trump tax cuts went primarily to those who didn’t need them. Tax cuts for lower income folks mean nothing. Most don’t pay taxes anyway and the little they would save would be swallowed up by the stack of wants and obligations folks in lower economic levels endure.  

Lee Purrier,

Park Rapids, Minn.