Dear Editor:

Ten years ago, the least-qualified presidential candidate in American history, Donald Trump, responded to this question in the final debate with Hillary Clinton, the most-qualified candidate in our history: “Do you make the same commitment that you will absolutely accept the result of this election?” Characteristically, he didn’t answer the question. “I will look at it at the time…. I’ll keep you in suspense.”

A day later, he did answer it. “I will totally accept the results of this great and historic presidential election — if I win.”

Significantly more than half of the voters in 2016 paid attention to that cynical response and understood the threat it posed to our Constitutional order — they voted for Clinton. With covert help from Russia, Trump won the Electoral College vote and became the 45th president.

MAGA Republicans are fond of telling us, “Elections have consequences.” How right they are: The last decade of American history is forever tarnished by President Trump’s contempt for the rule of law and his malignant solipsism. Russian collaboration in the 2014 campaign.

Unprecedented levels of corruption. The Big Lie that the election was stolen. Violent attempt to overthrow the U.S. government in 2021. Blanket pardon for felons who attacked the Capitol. And now, awarding those traitors $1,776,000,000 of our tax money.

The choice of that “patriotic” amount is thumb-in-the-eye Trump hypocrisy. Having suborned all three branches of government to do his bidding, he is scaling up the role he has always played: vindictive, dishonest hustler from Queens. It’s all about him. Always has been.

Bill Hammond

Boothbay