Dear Editor:

This letter is in response to the letter by Smith Climo (Vote for President Trump).

Regardless of Trump's “style, tweets or persona,” I dislike him because he is a clear and present danger to our country. Perhaps you, my dear Republican or independent reader, are struggling with this decision. Please allow me to make it crystal clear as to why one candidate is completely unfit for the job, and the other is, well, Joe Biden.

Trump lies. Compulsively, in fact. He is barred from ever again holding a position on a charity because he's a thief. He incites violence and divides us. He is a criminal and would be in prison alongside his “fixer” Michael Cohen had he not been POTUS when they were busted. He surrounds himself with criminals, cheaters, liars, and corrupt corporate actors that have no business being in the White House. He dismisses any negative press as “fake news” while spreading conspiracy theories. He even suggested that his supporters vote twice, which is a felony. He's actively dismantling our USPS. But most importantly he doesn't care about you or me one bit. He only cares about enriching himself, and he doesn't care how many Americans continue to suffer and perish under his misguided, selfish quest for power.

I am just as frustrated by the riots, half-baked pandemic response, and inaction from Congress as you must be. Since all are happening on Trump's watch, why would anyone expect giving him a second term would make things better?

You can continue to support Trump in public, vote for Joe Biden in private, and no one will ever know. This is the most important election in our modern history, and if Trump gets four more years, America may never recover.

Joe Biden was not my first choice in the primary. Not even my top three, but I will vote for Biden and Harris. To me there is nothing “precarious” about this decision, as Climo suggests, because I'm not willing to commit a crime for Trump, fall for his lies, or trust him to do the right thing. Ever. And neither should you.

Brian Papineau

Boothbay