Elections are “free and fair”

To the editor:

I recently heard a politician say that the next elections will be acceptable “if they are free and fair.”

This is a dangerous lie. Our elections are already free and fair. Actual voter fraud occurs so rarely that it is statistically negligible. And yet some people continue to insist, without any evidence, that millions of people are voting illegally. It is a despicable, cowardly strategy. And it could very well lead to another January 6th.

That terrible day was not “legitimate political discourse.” It was a scandal against peaceful self-government. People died because of it. Numerous Capitol officers were overpowered and mistreated. Some were almost killed on the spot. Many were permanently mutilated. A former president enjoyed the chaos in the secure dining room of the White House. These are all facts.

Decent Americans often disagree – and often even bitterly – about how to preserve our great nation. That’s part of being an American. Decent people accept that we have our legitimate political differences. Many people I really respect feel the same way as me, even if we don’t always (or never) agree on political issues.

In complete contrast to this spirit, certain defendants attempt to (re)gain power by constantly lying or dehumanizing others as “vermin” or “mentally unstable,” etc. Election deniers support this un-American behavior by claiming they will only accept the results of the upcoming elections IF they are free and fair.

Ask any election denier whether our current president legitimately won 2020 and they will respond with a slimy evasion instead of a simple yes or no answer. I have three questions for election deniers: Can people float like soap bubbles from the ground, yes or no? Does gravity work, yes or no? Did a former president lose by millions of votes in 2020, yes or no?

Many election deniers claim to represent the party of “law and order” and “personal responsibility.” These are admirable qualities and are definitely worth promoting. Now some are even claiming that reactions to the weather itself are part of a sinister conspiracy to “interfere” in elections. These astonishingly callous lies are despicable, dangerous and unacceptable. In reality, federal and state governments are working hard to help the brave survivors of recent hurricanes.

I would be dishonest here myself if I didn’t equate all the incessant lying with crap. Actually, I take that back: that would be an insult to the crap that has a good purpose.

Donald J. McNutt
Potsdam