To The Editor:

Early voting has begun as we head towards the November 4 election. Traditionally we will vote for those candidates whose views best align with our own on how we deal with our schools, infrastructure, zoning policies, policing, etc. We don’t normally consider what is happening in DC to be a factor in how we vote locally — but this year we might want to rethink that idea.

During the 2024 campaign, whenever Trump was asked about Project 2025, he usually answered with his best Sergeant Schultz impression — “I know nothing!” Now he fully supports it along with his fellow Republicans.

Project 2025 is brought to us by the white, Christian, (straight, male) nationalist movement and seeks to dictate what this country should look like. They want to concentrate power in the executive branch and minimize the legislative and judicial arms of our government. They will attempt to rewrite history to support their beliefs, blur the lines between the separation of church and state, curb civil liberties and undermine the rule of law. They have been implementing these changes at a rapid pace, and elected Republicans are clearing the way for them by doing absolutely nothing to stop them.

In Newtown we have already had debates about book bans and our freedom to peacefully protest. Who do you want in charge if executive orders start coming down that require the Ten commandments to be posted in every classroom, or that teaching about slavery isn’t necessary because after all it was just an unpaid internship program offered by plantation owners? Who should decide if our voting machines must be turned over because someone didn’t like the outcome of a given election? Do you want the people in charge to be those who are going to bow down to Trump or stand up for We the People? Elections really do have consequences.

Vote for Democracy — Vote Row A.

Kathy Quinn

Newtown