Dear Editor:

When vehicles are involved in a crime, the first question is, what’s the plate number, make model, color? This would be simple and obvious, especially if the vehicle is a bus parked outside the scene of the crime for any extended period. But there is no such report, no bus; it is all a lie.

Paul LePage’s false claims are part of the authoritarian nationalist agenda to undermine our democracy by casting doubt on our ability to run free and fair elections. This is an insult to our honest poll workers and the legitimate volunteer poll watchers from each party.

Free and fair elections is the foundation of a democratic people. When we start denying people the right to vote by throwing stones in the path to the polls we are eroding this right, transforming into a privilege. The danger is that the lies will persist and voting privileges will become ever narrower to the point where we will have legislated our democracy away.

LePage and the authoritarian nationalists have little respect for the rule of law, attack the idea of plurality by demonizing migrants, “liberals” and “rinos;” and seeking to restrict voting rights by spreading lies about the integrity of our electoral process.

We must recognize the authoritarian nationalist movement in our country for the threat it is; a viper suckling at the breast of democracy and the rule of law.

Fred W. Nehring

Boothbay