The saying use to be “The way Maine goes, so goes the nation.” That’s no longer true, or Kamala Harris would be the elected president instead of Donald Trump.

How long will we remain a federated national democratic republic while being lead by a self-proclaimed dictator the Supreme Court has placed above the law? Trump admires dictators. Some with dicey human rights records.

Currently Trump’s strongmen are not America’s allies. That will change when Trump becomes America’s first strongman, dictator, president. Trump’s allies are Philippines’ Rodrigo Duterte, Hungary’s Viktor Orban, Russia’s Vladimir Putin, North Korea’s Kim Jong Un and China’s Xi Jinping.

It’s common knowledge that Trump’s administration will seek vengeance against his perceived enemies. It reminds me of King Saul’s hatred, jealousy and pursued vengeance against David in the Bible. Israel wanted a king like other nations, regardless of the warning of what it would cost in land, money and people to set up a kingdom for a king (1 Samuel 8:1-22). Despite the warning, Israel chose to be lead by a king. Saul was Israel’s first king, and David was Israel’s second king.

Project 2025 is the plan to dismantle America’s government. Before the election Trump claimed no knowledge of Project 2025. Now Project 2025 is being set into motion. It will weaken and diminish our civil rights. Weaken or eliminate agencies that protect and help Americans.

Despite the warning, America chose a man found liable for sexual abuse, a felon, a liar and a self-proclaimed dictator to lead our diminishing democracy.

Deanne Danforth, Wilton