To the Editor,

I’m responding to Andrew Buzzi’s August 1st letter (“Saving Democracy from an Existential Threat”) and subsequent letters regarding our national politics. It’s positive to have this open discussion in our town paper. We’ve had public disagreements about the Supreme Court, Presidential candidates, the economy, crime, foreign wars, and immigration since 1789. Often rancorous, but healthy in general! These opposing views are natural and normal.

I’m concerned about something that is fundamentally different, and truly threatens our democracy. There is now widespread belief that we don’t have free and fair elections in our country. This despite the honest work of hundreds of thousands of election workers, across thousands of towns and cities. This was promulgated by the Trump administration in 2020, although Stacy Abrams and Jill Stein had also previously challenged election results. In 2020 there was zero evidence of widespread fraud. Over 60 legal challenges were dismissed, and many recounts confirmed the results. Numerous people have been charged with felonies for their actions to support Donald Trump. His attorneys have been disbarred.

It’s looking like Trump and Vance may challenge the November election, without providing any rationale. For example, rules at local and state election boards are being changed. The Republican candidates are already refusing to accept the election results, even though it is still several months away!

We may devolve into endless legal challenges and perhaps violence if this continues to spread in November.

This is a National disaster waiting to happen. Trump supporters, please tell us how this is good for our country. I’m looking forward to understanding your point of view and factual basis to question our elections.

Let’s cherish the free and fair elections that are the foundation of our democracy.

Peter Van Buskirk

Newtown