As a concerned Mainer, frightened by the actions of our new president, I believe that the unprecedented and unhinged plans that Donald Trump has undertaken since January will destroy our government and cause extreme hardship for our citizens.

Appointing Elon Musk, and so many others who are supremely unqualified for their positions, and eliminating crucial agencies and workers have placed our citizens at great risk to their privacy, safety and financial survival. His promise of revenge against anyone who has the temerity to challenge him is reprehensible. Most devastating is his intention to halt all previous commitments to protect the environment. His agenda becomes more unbelievable and destructive by the day, with few members of Congress taking the necessary steps to protect our democracy.

Ever since 2016, I have been worried about Trump’s lack of intelligence and governmental experience, power-hungry greed and mental capacity. Character matters in a world leader, but we now have a president who seems to have no shred of human decency or empathy, who does not accept the limits of his position. We are saddled with a convicted felon with no allegiance to the Constitution or the rule of law, which has garnered derision and fear around the globe.

It will take more than shared distress in conversations with our families and friends to get the U.S. back on a better track. Instead, we must make our views and concerns known to Congress through the media, the voting booth and peaceful protest.

Dorothy Miller
Lyman