To The Editor:

If you think of yourself as a proud American, someone who says the Pledge of Allegiance with your heart swelling, you should be voting Blue in this election. It doesn’t matter what party affiliation you had before Trump started ripping apart our economy, our status in the world and our political system. Everyone who cares about our country needs to stand up against Trump and the Republican party that is allowing him to destroy our American way of life.

Toxic masculinity is not an American value despite our enduring love for the Wild West. Misogyny is not an American value even though it is an ugly reality running through our culture. Racism is not an American value despite being a shameful and enduring part of our history. Even greed is not an American value. They do appear to be Trump’s values. American values are the values established in the nation’s founding documents: the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.

I don’t know how the Republican party managed to co-opt patriotism. There is nothing “American” about the leader they put in place and have kept in place. Donald Trump is the antithesis of an American patriot. He consistently disregards the fundamental principles of our government, acting as though the Executive is not subject to the authority of the Legislature or the courts. He shows little respect for the Bill of Rights, stifling freedom of speech, denying due process to individuals targeted by ICE. He uses his public office to enrich himself and to conduct personal and political vendettas.

This election is important. We need state representatives who are committed to our welfare and who have no affiliation with, and owe no support to, the Republican party. Cast your votes for America: Vote Blue.

Anne Renner

Sandy Hook