Those darn windmills

Does anyone remember Don Quixote? That lovable—and delusional—Spanish aristocrat who galloped through the scenes of a classic novel and popular musical attacking windmills because he thought they were dragons?

Fast-forward to 2017 and the “real” world, where the current president insists on tilting at the windmill of voter fraud, even though (a) he won the election, and (b) there is no evidence of widespread fraud. His obsession with voter fraud is so great he has created a committee of Sancho Panzas to prove his unprovable point. Unfortunately, this group has chosen to weed out fraud by tramping on states’ and voters’ rights to such an extent that, if not stopped, I believe they will be committing voter intimidation on a national scale.

What is the point of having curtained polling booths if this committee is allowed to reveal all on the public stage? What possible legitimate reason could there be for them to know about my military service? Even worse, all the information being requested—including partial Social Security numbers—makes identity theft easier than taking candy from babies. Couple this unprecedented intrusion into our privacy with the increased incidence of illegal hacking of government sites, and it doesn’t take a doomsday prophet to see the potential for harm.

As governor of Arkansas, it is Mr. Asa Hutchinson’s responsibility to protect and defend the rights of the state and its citizens. I am asking, sir, that you refuse to pander to this witch hunt. There is too much at stake here to play into this bizarre, delusional game.

KATHERINE TUCKER

Perryville