Dear Editor,

Upon opening the Dec. 25 edition of The Advocate-Messenger, I was surprised to see the editorial page containing not one, but two guest political columnists. Instead of publishing an editorial about the observance of Christmas around the world, these columns were about the president-elect.

I agree completely with the observations of Dr. Benjamin Knoll that Mr. Trump is actively threatening to weaken our democracy. I completely disagree with Mr. Tye’s assertions that the “people chose Trump, now it’s time to let him lead.” The people did NOT choose Trump. The Electoral College did. Trump LOST the popular vote by the largest margin in American history!

Tye seems not to remember that when Barack Obama was elected in 2008, the U.S. economy was in free-fall and we were mired in two wars. During the Obama years, the economy has recovered, jobs have been created, the stock market is at an all-time high and more Americans have health insurance than ever before.

America is a rich nation but income inequality is a blight on the middle class. Wealth gained “on behalf of all Americans” doesn’t put money in the pockets of hard-working families living paycheck to paycheck and working multiple minimum wage jobs. These people are NOT “hitching a ride.” Raising the minimum wage to a living wage would allow them to participate more fully in the economy instead of having to apply for food stamps to feed their children.

Tye states, “Eight years ago, we were willing to give current President Obama a chance to guide our nation with his vision…”

Really? Mitch McConnell, the most powerful Republican in the United States, certainly didn’t give Mr. Obama a chance. When Obama was inaugurated in 2009, McConnell vowed to do everything he could to make Obama a “one-term president.” He failed. The U.S. House and Senate have done everything possible to obstruct the president’s programs, even shutting down the government, not once but twice. McConnell also refused to do his job, blocking the nomination of Merrick Garland, a highly qualified jurist, to the Supreme Court.

Dr. Knoll states, “The only real check on President-elect Trump is now Congressional Republicans.” I believe it is the duty of ALL citizens to oppose the president-elect’s attempts to weaken our democratic norms and institutions. We must stay informed, work together and speak out to oppose anti-democratic initiatives and rhetoric.

Jane S. Brantley

Danville