To the editor:

I know a man who has been a registered Democrat for many years. He goes to church. He helps with various projects and tries to make our community a better place for all. He is nice to people. He never has seemed like a dangerous radical leftist to me. However, in the last presidential election he voted for the Democratic candidate. He also voted for Barack Obama and he intends to vote for Joe Biden. I did not know that this means he is intent on destroying “the foundations, structures and traditions” of our country. Eric Schmidt in his letter of Oct. 4 asserts that this is, in fact, the case.

Actually, I don’t think that is true.

Mr. Schmidt, when you speak so disparagingly of “liberals” and “progressives” you are referring to real people, American citizens. I feel sorry for you if you truly believe that a majority of Americans in the last election wanted to “destroy society and those who uphold it.” If these were the words of an isolated crank I would not be too concerned, but I know others in both parties hold this same sort of perverse attitude.

I believe the vast majority of American citizens of both parties want the best for our nation; they differ on how to go about it. I do not ask you to accept the positions of Democratic candidates. I do ask you to try to accept that simply disagreeing with you is not treasonous.

Joe Douglas,

Lawrence