A recent writer to the Gazette bemoans the lack of “moderate or right-leaning contributors” to the paper [”Pursuit of liberty will sweep away ‘elitist liberalism,” Gazette, Jan. 23] He proceeds to mock the idea that Trump aspires to dictatorial power. He thereby overlooks reports that Trump’s advisers are reportedly concocting a plan whereby a reelected Trump would invoke the Insurrection Act, making him, presto! A dictator. The plain facts are that, for the first time in our nation’s more than 200-year history a defeated presidential candidate refused to accept the results of an election that was judged free and fair by, among countless others, then-Attorney General Barr and more than 60 court challenges, and who then went on to summon his supporters to Washington, whipping them into an frenzy, and then sending them to the Capitol to prevent the certification of his defeat.

And you say he doesn’t want to be a dictator? The recent writer also lambasts the hope among liberals (such as myself) that the courts will stop Trump and “his rebels,” seeing in this hope a political weaponization of the justice system. But in fact it is just what is known as “the rule of law,” the thin reed that stands between any nation and authoritarianism. So far it has held in this country. Hundreds of the January 6th insurrectionists have been convicted for their crimes, and the insurrectionist-in-chief is facing 91 indictments. Vote for him if you will, but please don’t deny he wants to be a dictator.

John Connolly

Haydenville