LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Ed. note: We intend to publish every letter we have received regarding the events of Jan. 6, 2021 in Washington D.C., provided the letter meets our 150-word length requirement, was sent exclusively to us, is coherent, is free from obscenity and is from someone who did not already send a letter on this subject. Through Jan. 18, we will publish all letters received Jan. 6-10 on this subject in the order in which they were received.

With great angst, we witnessed the attempted coup that many of our fellow Floridians were so fearful of during this election cycle. Yet they continue to support our representatives that have supported and enabled this would be despot for the past four years. Trump said it best during the hasty nomination and confirmation of Justice Barrett: “Elections have consequences.” I think Florida’s congressional Republicans who signed on to object to the results of other states’ fair elections are about to find out that their political careers in Washington are over.

Richard Carlson, Deerfield Beach

After more than four years of the most outrageous, slanderous and condescending treatment of the president and his supporters, capped off by an election seemingly designed to enable mail-in voter fraud, the Capitol riot shouldn’t be a shock. You can’t treat people like that, then ignore a thousand signed affidavits and hours upon hours of in-person, eyewitness testimony on election irregularities and outright fraud, and expect nothing to happen. You can’t ignore this away. The media hasn’t lifted a finger to investigate. State and federal judges have prevented the Trump team from accessing the envelopes, ballots and voting machines they need to see to prove the fraud. And the media cries “no evidence!” Imagine trying to prove something when you can’t access the key elements that show the fraud! You want people to accept Biden as President? Do a thorough, fair investigation. Otherwise, the division and unrest will continue.

Steve Kasakitis, Coral Springs

South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham took to the floor of the Senate and with dramatic, panoramic gestures to fellow senators, proclaimed that although a strong supporter of President Donald Trump, whom he referred to as a consequential president, he would not vote to block the inevitable inauguration of president-elect Joe Biden. It was as if Graham became the reason Biden will be inaugurated on Jan. 20, as prescribed by the Constitution.

Watching Graham’s antics, I was reminded of the joke told by legendary Vegas comedian Shecky Greene. Greene claimed that Frank Sinatra saved his life when five guys were beating on him. He claims he heard Sinatra say, “that’s enough.” Graham saved democracy the same way Sinatra saved Shecky.

Sheldon I. Saitlin, Boca Raton

Having advised myriad political campaigns, I can tell you that election disputes are common throughout the world. While the lives lost during Wednesday’s D.C. protest were a tragedy, the American people should not lose sight of the importance of discussing how this election was conducted and how it could have been better. Florida has had two decades to get it right, but even the 2018 election had three statewide recounts, including for governor. More states and more local governments are conducting elections through electronic voting and universal vote by mail, possibly without sufficient safeguards to maintain ballot integrity and protect voters from coercion. While the Trump administration complained a lot about the November election, they failed to address these issues adequately before voters went to the polls. Now, we must continue this debate to ensure that there is no question about the integrity of our free and fair elections.

Hector C. Roos, Miami

Dear Trump supporters, enablers and Republicans: How did you think this was going to end?

Steven R. Ballinger, Weston