To the Editor:

Regarding Mr. Martin Dyckman’s op-ed published in the March 8 issue of The Smokey Mountain News, I found his historical comments on Hitler’s rise to power to be quite accurate and thought-provoking. The comparison to President Trump’s rise to power is indeed interesting. 

However, his allegation that the people that voted for him were “more interested in throwing bombs than in building bridges” is inaccurate. His assertion regarding “the great moral character” of Trump’s opponent is unquestionably inaccurate. Hillary Clinton possesses many characteristics, none of which could be described as “great moral character.” Rather, she appears to be self-absorbed, imbued with a sense of entitlement (thought she deserved the presidency), a proven liar (email server, Benghazi),  an ineffective leader (Benghazi), a dirty tricks dealer (Sanders), an opportunist and an influence dealer (Clinton Foundation) and a poor judge of character (Bill and Monica).

It wasn’t just the “deplorables” and the “bomb throwers” that voted for Donald Trump — it was also those for whom there was no viable alternative. In addition, those voters were sick and tired of the leadership during the last eight years. They felt that if they were unhappy with the last eight years, then the next four would be even worse. 

Mr. Dyckman is correct in that there is little similarity to the conditions in Germany in the 1930s and the conditions in our country in the 2000s. We are fortunate to have a system of checks and balances that hopefully will preclude any rise of authoritarianism.  

There is a practical reason that the Electoral College exists — it prevents the greatly populated states from forcing their will on the remainder of the country. Whether one feels that is a good thing or not depends, I suppose, upon where one resides. In any event, it is our system as it exists today.  

Hopefully, Mr. Trump will prove to be a good president for our country. If not, then there is always 2020.

Stephen Thomason