Christine Burton: Applaud Republican politicians who have demonstrated courage, condemned Trump

To The Daily Sun,

Who are Democrats or independents who lean left? Certain Republican politicians describe us as Communists, Marxists, fascists, or radical left-wing thugs. I beg to differ. We are not their enemies. We are their neighbors — health care professionals, plumbers, children’s or grandchildren’s teachers, barbers, electricians, and so on. When did it become normal, acceptable, or OK to disparage neighbors or call them names when they disagree with you politically? For me, such unacceptable behavior and the extreme polarization that followed became common practice when former President Donald Trump campaigned in 2016. Since then it has become even worse.

Suddenly we had a candidate who reveled in calling his opponents humiliating names, ridiculing a handicapped reporter, and demeaning women. I have read that many of Donald Trump’s supporters admire his bluster, and that they disdain political correctness itself. Personally, I’m ready for a kinder, more respectful political environment. I appreciate leaders who serve as positive role models for my children, grandchildren, and fellow citizens. While I may not have agreed with them policy-wise, I believe that Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger have demonstrated their love of country and their integrity by denouncing the former president as unfit to serve. As the two Republicans who sat on the House select committee tasked with investigating the U.S. Capitol riot of Jan. 6, 2021, they had ample evidence upon which to base their opinions. Indeed, the list of former Trump staffers who have declared him unfit is lengthy.

I will not vote for any candidate who has endorsed the former president, and I applaud the many Republican politicians and leaders who have demonstrated their courage and character to condemn former President Trump’s efforts to prevent the peaceful transfer of power to the winner of the election in 2020, Joseph Biden.

Christine Burton

Meredith