To the editor:

Former President Trump is basing future plans for the White House, if elected, on undoing much progress our country has seen under the administrations of GW Bush, Obama and Biden. It involves slashing funding for government programs across the board. The transition gives every branch of government a pronounced lean to the far right.

The Supreme Court has already struck down long-standing rules and laws that should be the function of Congress. Under Project 2025 the entire executive branch will be under the direct control of the president. Tens of thousands of federal civil service employees will be replaced by those pledging loyalty to the president. Conservative Christian nationalist values will steer our country toward autocracy. The rule of law and the separation of church and state will be undermined.

Partisan control of the Department of Justice and the FBI will transfer to the president. Trump talks of eliminating the Departments of Homeland Security and Education. Climate regulations will be changed to favor fossil fuel production. Tariffs will increase inflation, while tax cuts will be given to the rich. The plan speaks of cutting Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security, outlawing abortion and emergency contraception, and rounding up illegal immigrants, putting them in concentration camps or deporting them. Funding for Ukraine will be abandoned and our status around the world severely damaged.

These are the most serious changes. There are more. These changes will be catastrophic to our democracy. Be educated and aware of what you are voting for. But vote!

Charley Crabtree,

Lawrence