Dear Editor,
The majority of Americans did not vote for Donald Trump; they voted for Hillary Clinton. Trump lost the popular vote by more than 2 million voters, the largest margin of popular votes ever lost by a candidate who won the election.
Trump had charged that the “voting system was rigged.” And now he embraces a thoroughly debunked conspiracy theory that Clinton’s campaign experienced “massive voter fraud.”
The real scandal is that millions of would-be voters didn’t participate because of obstacles—such as strict photo-ID requirements, cutbacks in early voting and new registration restrictions designed to discourage them.
Columnist Dana Milbank said, “They arguably suppressed enough minority voters to cost Hillary Clinton the election.”
Another factor influencing the election were “fake news” stories that blanketed the internet and has forced Facebook and Twitter to investigate their sources. A “fake news” operation, based in Macedonia, has flooded social media with fake stories that have thousands of followers in this country.
A recount has begun in Wisconsin, with other recounts possible. But it’s unlikely they will significantly change the results.
Since we must, at least for now, accept the result of the Electoral College process (in a democracy, isn’t the majority supposed to rule?), like others, I am scared for our country. I was scared too in 1972 when Richard Nixon won reelection by a wide margin. But less than two years later, because of Watergate, he was forced to resign.
James W. Ramsey
Sandpoint
While we have you ...
... if you appreciate that access to the news, opinion, humor, entertainment and cultural reporting in the Sandpoint Reader is freely available in our print newspaper as well as here on our website, we have a favor to ask. The Reader is locally owned and free of the large corporate, big-money influence that affects so much of the media today. We're supported entirely by our valued advertisers and readers. We're committed to continued free access to our paper and our website here with NO PAYWALL - period. But of course, it does cost money to produce the Reader. If you're a reader who appreciates the value of an independent, local news source, we hope you'll consider a voluntary contribution. You can help support the Reader for as little as $1.
You can contribute at either Paypal or Patreon.
Contribute at Patreon Contribute at Paypal
Coming up this week! Don’t miss out on holiday fun with Turkey Trots, Family & Friends Day, Tree Lighting Ceremonies, and more! See the full list of events in the 
