Reading the recent opinion letters in this local paper is quite disturbing. Moving to Massachusetts almost 38 years ago was one of the best decisions I have ever made. A place where we live our lives without government intervention with respect to our bodily decisions. A place that reveres its natural beauty and allows everyone to live the life of their own choosing.

As I drive around our county, I see supporters of the former president with their flags and yard signs spewing sayings like “God, Guns, Country, Trump 2024” who have no idea of the danger he represents to our families and friends, let alone our democracy itself. People who, if asked, “Have you ever studied or even read the U.S. Constitution?” most likely have never viewed the document at all.

I have read and studied the Constitution. I recommend that every citizen do the same. If you are to understand the gravity of this election, read how our government is intended to function, with all of its faults, it is still the best way to have a system by the people, for the people, and not give in to a threatened autocracy.

As Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware said, “My advice to the American people is to take seriously the fact that Donald Trump’s former secretary of defense, national security adviser, chief of staff, and VP have all, in different settings, said that he belongs nowhere near the White House again.”

This along with the recent letter signed by more than 200 former aides of the Bush, McCain, and Romney administrations who said a second Trump administration is “simply untenable” as they pledged support for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.

Now add the grotesque fact that Trump, who lies and says he will be the one to lower prices and end inflation is selling $59 Bibles, $99 Trump trading cards, and expensive gaudy sneakers, among other junk promotions that line his pockets with your hard-earned cash. By the way, a president has minimal, if any, control over prices; it’s corporations and their greed that control costs for the most part.

As retired four-Star Gen. Larry Ellis stated recently, “Endorsing VP Harris is necessary. Trump has demonstrated that he is wholly and dangerously unfit for commander-in-chief. He praises and emboldens our enemies that seek to weaken our country. He has denigrated our brave men and women in uniform. If any service member were to ever act just a bit like Trump, he or she would be immediately removed from the leadership position, admonished, and separated from military service.”

So, as a member of this community, I ask all of you to carefully consider your vote. A vote for Harris/Walz is a vote for all of us. A vote that will secure our rights for everyone, not take them away. A vote that will respect our planet and do the best we can to keep climate change at bay with smart decisions surrounding fossil fuels, renewable, and new energy sources.

A vote to secure a fair and equitable education for our kids. A vote for accessible, affordable, and excellent health care for everyone, and a reformed immigration system that is humane and efficient.

Read, research, listen to all available resources (not just the bubble you may be stuck in), and come to your own decision. That’s how this works. I’m fairly sure that reason and common sense will prevail and this country will be the beneficiary of Harris/Walz and a new generation of leaders who hold true to our goal of creating a more perfect union.

Beth Shepard is a former paralegal and is a local business owner. Her kids are both products of public school education and are successful in their own right. She and her husband live in Gill.>res<