Leonard J. Schaffnit: 2026 elections about continuing democratic republic

To The Daily Sun,

The 2026 elections will not be about voting Republican or Democratic, it will be a choice of continuing our 250-year history of a democratic republic or succumbing to a dictatorial oligarchy. Our present form of government, the democratic republic, provides for power to rest with the citizens, who exercise that power directly through elected representatives. A dictatorial oligarchy form of government consists of a small, privileged group such as wealthy elites of a single party wielding absolute, unchecked power, and absolute control of a dictatorship ― sound familiar?

Fearing the possibility of Republicans losing control of Congress, the current administration is exploring every possible avenue to disrupt, negate or cancel the mid-term elections. We all witnessed what Donald Trump, and his minions, are capable of when he attempted to overthrow the 2020 election, and now he has the support of his flunkies in the Department of Justice, FBI, and the military ― they will all be weaponized to support him. Trump has ramped up attacks on elections, suggesting that, "we shouldn't even have" mid-terms in November. He continues to push unfounded claims of voter fraud in an attempt to erode trust in elections and pave the way for increased voter restrictions; he has a penchant for lying with no regard for the truth. At the same time, he raises concerns by making comments suggesting a desire to stay (remain) in office past his second term.

The mid-terms must show a strong moral voice rooted in our values, rooted in truth, rooted in law that refuses to accept lies. We must vote to determine what kind of society America is to be.

Leonard J. Schaffnit

Gilmanton