To the Editor,

In his letter of March 14 (“Supreme Court rules!”) Richard Corrente states it was “Colorado Democrats that tried to remove Trump from the ballot” when, in actuality, it was a Republican-led effort.

 Mr. Corrente’s confusing of fact with opinion, which repeats itself with his listing of 5 supposed “facts” about the January 6 “event,” brings to mind Alexander Pope’s admonition: “A little learning is a dangerous thing.”

 In a response (“Desperate Democrats,” March 28), A. H. Liddle echoes Mr. Corrente’s sentiments, ending his letter with “What do you think?”

Well, here’s what I think: I absolutely cannot fathom the mindset of those who apparently want to live in a one-man dictatorship. And here’s what I know: as someone who was bullied in school, and who has lived and worked in foreign countries ruled by tyrants, I don’t particularly look forward to seeing the United States ruled by one. One such tyrant, China’s premier Xi, refers to American-style democracy as “a sheet of shifting sand.”

 Granted, our democracy is often messy and imperfect, but, thanks to the Constitution and rule of law, I would substitute “firm (if somewhat splintered) bedrock” for “shifting sand.” Here’s something else I know: the “deep state” is a myth. As someone who has worked for the U.S. government and served in the military—and personally know many others who have faithfully done the same—I swore allegiance to our founding documents and institutions, not to any one individual. And I also know this: If a certain nefarious narcissist gets elected president in November, the “deep state” will indeed exist, and Xi’s “shifting sand” will turn to “quicksand.” In which case, we’re all in trouble.

Peter Carney

Warwick