Dear Editor:

To equate a former President of these United States to a nihilistic despot is beyond reprehensible. Perhaps a brief history of some of the great accomplishments offered up by true dictators is due.  

Kim Jong-Il, leader of North Korea for 17 years. Ruled over the deaths of hundreds of thousands, and perhaps millions, through widespread preventable starvation, horrendous prisons, forced labor camps, and public executions. Kim family rule, started with his father, Kim Il-Sung in 1948, the legacy continues with Kim’s son, Kim Jong-Un.  

Idi Amin Dada, from 1971 to 1979, the Butcher of Uganda. He became president following a military coup. He slaughtered those that did not support him. Starting with the Acholi and Lang ethnic groups, and onto religious leaders, journalists, judges, lawyers, or anyone threatening his power. Those slaughtered, possibly 500,000. 

Vladimir Lenin, leader of Soviet Russia from 1917 until 1924. The police force known as Cheka saw tens of thousands killed or put into concentration camps. He also oversaw the Russian Civil War and the Polish-Russian War, which led to devastation and famine that killed millions more. 

Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam from 1945 to 1965. Established the Communist Democratic Republic of Vietnam in the north of the country. He forced adherence to his regime by threatening locals and cutting off the hands of children, to send a message to their parents. NV troops that survived battles were killed for cowardice. People were executed for errors of thought. Between 50,000 and 100,000 civilians killed. 

Adolph Hitler, leader of Germany from 1933 to 1945. He is the cause of WW2. Six million Jews in Europe murdered. He’s responsible for the killing of an estimated 19.3 million civilians, prisoners of war, and another 28.7 million casualties. 

Under the leadership of President Trump, the U.S. economy was flourishing and the world was a relatively peaceful place, especially the Middle East. Now the Middle East is on fire, Russia is waging war against Ukraine and China is escalating toward invading Taiwan.  

The letter titled “Adolph or Donald” is an abysmal affront, formulated to mislead the less informed. Those of your political ilk, will lead this country to tyranny. The term “liberal” has been turned on its head by leftists to mean illiberal, in all ways that it is defined. Wake up. 

John Splaine  

West Boothbay Harbor