To the editor:
This is the definition of “demagogue” from an 1880-90 edition of Webster's dictionary: “One who panders to popular prejudice or seeks to inflame reasonless passions in the advancement of his personal interests.”
This is the definition from a 1970 Webster's dictionary: “A person who tries to stir up the people by appeals to emotion, prejudice, etc. in order to become a leader and achieve selfish ends.”
We see this too often in South American countries. I never imagined we would see it here.
Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has done us a great service. He has confirmed that bigotry, xenophobia and hatred are not dead in this country, that we have much work yet to do.
Don't shoot Trump; he is only the messenger. But don't elect him either.
Tom Budlong, Los Angeles
Note from KBJ: This is a perfect description of both Barack Hussein Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton. What's funny is that, in all likelihood, the thought has never occurred to the letter writer. One man's demagogue is another man's messiah.
