Letter: When voting, focus on the future

Students of history have seen our current political dilemma play out in the past. A charismatic strongman focuses voter frustration and anger toward certain vulnerable segments of the population. Amid widespread support, political rivals are swept away like flying pests. The strongman, unbound by traditional political decorum or scruples, seems impervious to political attack.

Should the strongman be elected to the most powerful position in the country, the question becomes what will happen. Will there be a rebirth of national pride, prosperity and security as promised? Alternatively, will there be a period of repressive intolerance and disastrous policy decisions that lead us on a path toward national collapse?

I hope that we, as voters will think about our decision carefully and with an eye to the future. To paraphrase, people who ignore the lessons of history are bound to repeat them.

Robert J. Boes

Ely