To the editor:

Donald Trump has no understanding of or respect for the cornerstone of our democracy: our Constitution. His plan, if elected, is to rewrite our Constitution, strip our legislature and judiciary of authority and transfer that important responsibility to the executive branch, which unfortunately would be Trump. This is a threat that will end our democracy. Trump wants a dictatorship. His anti-democratic agenda will move our election decision to the streets. We cannot risk that fate.

Trump believes he can do anything and it’s not a crime — just blame someone else. Retribution, retaliation and revenge is no way to develop cooperation and trust. It leads to government shutdowns that will cost billions of dollars and many jobs. Russia and China will love that.

Asking people to pledge absolute loyalty to a president instead of our Constitution has never been done in our country. This is absolute proof that the USA is the greatest nation in the world. Why would we change?

Trump’s plan is to do what he wants for his benefit. We must stand up against this would-be dictator and guarantee survival of our democracy. We must do everything possible to encourage everyone to exercise their constitutional right to vote against the biggest threat in history to our United States of America.

Don’t take this lightly. We have choices and those choices have consequences! Now is the time. Our country is at stake in our next election. Thank goodness we have a democracy. Let’s keep it. Vote!

Charley Crabtree,

Lawrence