I read the recent guest column “Trump’s new American revolution of 2024” [Gazette, Dec. 30] with keen interest. Although I too find it troubling that Mr. Trump is ahead in the polls, I believe the race is far from over.

Furthermore, the writer’s suggestion that young people are more likely to resemble Trump in the future seems off the mark. Trump had a poor showing in the 18-24 category in the 2020 election, garnering only about 35% of that vote. This is also inconsistent with my experience of young people.

My view is that humans are evolving toward honoring a more kind and just society. It may not be happening fast, but it is happening, and the current fascist trend is a reaction to that. As a culture, we’ve made tremendous progress in protecting the rights of children, women and oppressed cultures. There’s more consciousness as well; just 30 years ago, issues including bullying, sexual abuse and mental illness were minimized or ignored.

The reasons for President Joe Biden’s poor polling numbers are complex and, at least in part, due to current issues beyond his control such as inflation, climate change and unfortunate international conflicts. At least some of the bump in Trump’s numbers likely derives from voter frustration and blaming the current person in power.

Will it last? Biden isn’t a high wire act like Trump, so voters aren’t paying that much attention to him yet. There’s also a divide among Democrats due to Biden’s tepid response to Israel’s aggression, and this too could be a factor. Even if Trump manages to stay on the tightrope and make it to the Oval Office, his agenda is not going to work because it is, like the writer said, “crazy.”

It’s not sustainable, and it’s not in alignment with what people need. No matter what books you ban, or what crazy laws are put in place, the evolution of human beings is already in motion and you can’t stop that. Unlike the writer, I draw parallels between progressives and the colonists who had the courage to fight for and create a democratic state, a more evolved, equitable way of life.

Rick McNeil

Florence