In a speech to the nation last week (“Trump makes his case on wall,” Page A1, Jan. 9), Donald Trump deluged the country with half-truths and bald-faced lies, which, according to independent fact-checkers, he previously has done thousands of times. Yet a large majority of Republican senators continue to bow to his will, not because of their belief in the veracity of his views (which they must recognize have increasingly crippled our government and harmed many thousands of our citizens), but because of fear of losing their seats in the next election or because of other sources of outside intimidation.
Trump has threatened to continue a government shutdown until he gets his way. Such is the behavior of a schoolyard bully, unless taught to mend his character. In the absence of such teaching, such bullies, by hook or crook, may eventually evolve into dictatorial tyrants with the aim of destroying democracy and its institutions. Hopefully, the country will not let this happen.
David L. Maxwell
Duxbury
