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During this contentious election cycle it seems appropriate to recall the words of H.L. Mencken published in the July 20, 1926, issue of the Baltimore Evening Sun:

“As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.”

As well as Isaac Asimov’s observation:

“Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means ‘my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.’”

It seems the red states’ infatuation with the Donald is motivated more by the desire for emotional arousal and entertainment rather than the desire for valid political discourse. Fox News viewers in particular, according to a survey by Fairleigh Dickinson University, were found to be less informed than people who watched no news at all.

Trump has neither integrity, dignity or principles, some small measure of which should be required for the job.

Unfortunately I can’t say much better about Hillary.

Kudos to Mr. Baum for his tell-it-like-it-is letter. —Andy Johnston, Bigfork