I have voted in every presidential election since 1948 and never have I seen two more unqualified candidates. On the one hand, we have a congenital prevaricator married to a lecherous liar who was a very mediocre senator and a somewhat worse secretary of state. Both have enriched themselves beyond reason by a series of shady deals related to previous elected offices. On the other hand, we have a bombastic braggart in love with himself with no political experience and a very tenuous connection between his tongue and his brain. Neither candidate deserves the respect normally afforded a president of the United States, not to mention leadership of the free world. Because of these candidates there are some, most notably Sen. Susan Collins, who say they won’t vote for either candidate.

I would remind them that the right to unfettered vote is a privilege and an obligation in a democracy. Worldwide over the years thousands have died for the right to vote. And in countries that have achieved that right the percentage voting is very high. Not voting achieves nothing, because barring unforeseen circumstances, one of the candidates will become president. Use your best judgment and vote for the one you perceive to be the lesser of two evils. Perhaps the best we can hope for is a Congress controlled by the opposite party so the new president can’t do irreparable harm.

N. Bruce Haynes

Skowhegan