Letters: What’s more important than democracy?; Listening to the answers

What’s more important than democracy?

Election politics aren’t even close to “normal” right now so we should stop acting as if they were. While I understand the panic attack over Joe Biden’s debate performance, that concern is misplaced. The situation has made candidate capabilities less relevant than what each candidate stands for. The real issue now facing us is what kind of nation we would prefer to live in.

Donald Trump, MAGA Republicans and Trump’s Supreme Court have made it clear that a Trump win in November will usher in an autocracy. One with a dictator who will surround himself with people whose first qualification isn’t competency or expertise. The qualification will be their loyalty. Not to the nation, not the Constitution. To Trump.

For those of us who value our rights, that makes American democracy the premier ballot issue this fall. For no matter what other issues we may personally prioritize — women’s rights, civil rights, voting rights, climate change, gun control, etc. — they will be dead in the water if we do not live in a democracy.

Without trying to downplay concerns about Biden, these matter less in this moment. What matters most is that Trump and his MAGA Republicans are defeated. The choice isn’t Trump versus Biden, it is dictatorship versus democracy. And voting a straight Democratic ticket is the only way to ensure that democracy survives.

American democracy is the premier issue. For this election, and most likely for elections into the foreseeable future, no other issue is as critical.

Ron Williams, Pennsylvania Furnace

Listening to the answers

“Debate is a process that involves formal discourse, discussion, and oral addresses on a particular topic or collection of topics, often with a moderator and an audience. In a debate, arguments are put forward for common opposing viewpoints” (Wikipedia).

In the June 27 “debate,” instead of following conventional debate format and rules, Trump used a rhetorical technique called the Gish gallop (favored by the Russians and others — please look it up), where one person throws many unsupported statements at the opponent, who will then not have time to give thoughtful responses. In that debate, Trump also chose not to respond to questions, but instead voiced a string of untruths designed to inflame his “base.”

I noticed in July 11’s press conference that Biden actually answered questions and, in doing so, showed his mastery of complex domestic and international politics. This, in contrast to Trump’s reliance on exaggeration and inflammatory lies and a profound lack of knowledge of the issues.

I support Biden’s vision for the future of America. On the other hand, Trump’s perverse plans (which really shouldn’t be dignified by characterization as “vision”) include regression to the authoritarian condition where a few oligarchs steal resources and wealth and where there is no stable “rule of law.” Only the closest Trump insiders would benefit from another Trump presidency, and Trump has no loyalty to anyone.

We will all be better off with an elder, honest, skilled statesman, instead of an elder, corrupt authoritarian in the Oval Office.

Mark Ralston, Centre Hall