OPINION:
The essence of democracy is that citizens — not appointed party “elites” — decide who will lead them (“Trump appeals ruling barring him from Maine ballot under the Constitution’s insurrection clause,” web, Jan. 2).
By seeking to prevent Donald Trump — who was never convicted of insurrection — from appearing on the Republican primary ballot in Maine, we only increase his popularity as a martyr. That all but ensures his victory this November.
Such political reasoning could be used in reciprocal fashion against President Biden, too. We could seek to remove his name from ballots because he is an alleged insurrectionist for enabling millions of illegals to enter this country, creating chaos and mayhem and impoverishing our nation.
Destroying our nation’s legal system to prevent Mr. Trump from becoming president again is a poor, desperate strategy that will have negative ramifications for decades to come. It will only disenfranchise Americans, erode faith in the sanctity of our elections, and further alienate voters from the major political parties.
We should all be deeply concerned. Shame on Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows.
MICHAEL PRAVICA
Henderson, Nevada
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