Letters: Dumping on Trump or democracy?

ISSUE | CAMPAIGN 2016

I'm disappointed in the front-page headline on Donald Trump's postdebate remarks about contesting the election ("Trump's not backing down," Friday). Other papers ran similar headlines.

What actually happened - as the article made clear - was that Trump softened his rhetoric, clarifying that he would accept a clear election but reserved the right to file a legal challenge in the case of a contested election. His statement that he would accept the election results "if he wins" was clearly a joke.

Headlines like that lend credence to Trump's dubious claim of a media conspiracy against him.

Coleman Glenn, Huntingdon Valley

Donald Trump's statements about possibly not accepting the election outcome are threatening my sacred democratic voting privilege. This privilege has been protected by those men and women who have served in our military, shed their blood, and gave their lives or precious time as prisoners of war - something Trump has not done. Those heroes served not just for our country, but for people around the world, so they could have the same sacred privilege.

Bill Lavery, Springfield

As one of the hundreds of thousands of poll workers in precincts across the country, I have had my integrity attacked by the Republican candidate for president. Please join me in calling on all candidates at the federal, state, and local level to affirm their confidence in our democratic voting process and to publicly disassociate themselves from Donald Trump and his anti-American refusal to accept the results of the Nov. 8 election if he loses.

Peter B. Meyer, New Hope

Sen. John McCain (R., Ariz.), who fought and suffered for our country and our democratic form of government, has promised that if Hillary Clinton is elected president, Republicans in Congress will refuse to consider anyone she nominates for the Supreme Court.

I am shocked he would propose such a crippling of our democracy.

Our form of government rests on the acceptance of the will of the voters, and our Constitution created three pillars of government, with the judicial branch as the final arbiter.

We are already reeling under the gerrymandering of election districts, attempted restrictions on voting, unlimited donations affecting elections, and a Congress that has made obstruction its mode of not governing. How much more can we take and still call ourselves a democracy?

Carol LeFevre, Gwynedd