EAST DUMMERSTON-I am writing primarily in response to the "Why we lost: the fake-news bubble" [Viewpoint, Nov. 13] by Steev Lynn. I'm tired of the seemingly bottomless well of reasons blaming the Democratic Party for our recent loss.
I share Lynn's assessment that the defeat stems from the fact that so many voters are consuming what they believe to be news but is actually right-wing propaganda. This is pretty devastating because it is so hard to fight against.
JD Vance even said, when asked about Donald Trump's accusation that immigrants in Ohio were "eating the dogs" and "eating the cats," that you need to create stories to get the media's attention. That's their game. I think our loss was fated even before the race began.
But we should not forget that there are also people who consume almost no news. They live grueling lives, perhaps working two jobs or caring for family members. To make decisions about voting, they might rely on the advice of others. They are just trying to make it through each day.
As life deteriorates under Trump, some of his followers might start to experience a disconnect between their diet of lies and what they witness with their own eyes. If this happens, we might have a better chance of winning back seats during the midterm elections.
But the more I read about Trump's devious plans to consolidate power in the executive branch, I wonder if even this will matter.
Dan DeWalt's Viewpoint ["The Dems have no one but themselves to blame," Nov. 13], was a painful reminder of how Democrats squeezed out Bernie Sanders in favor of Hillary Clinton. Just imagine where we could have been today! But I don't think the reasons he presents are what lead to this defeat.
Reading Elayne Clift's column ["That place where anxiety and numbness meet in despair," Nov. 13], I was heartened to be reminded of the history of resistance movements and her hopeful belief that change will once again be possible.
These essays may have been written before we learned that Trump did not win the majority of the popular vote. I find some solace in this.
Marcy Hermansader
East Dummerston
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