Letter: Shocked by ad

When I read the ad VOTE WISELY in the August 27th BVD, and in another one since, I was shocked. Then I was angry, and then I was sad. How can decent, educated, reasonable people of faith and good character tell such lies about their fellow citizens in a small town newspaper or even believe such falsehoods, as if they can't think for themselves, about Democrats in Montana and across the nation? Sure, there are extreme individuals and groups far left of center who might have been accurately portrayed in the left-hand column, but there is no one like that here, no one in Lincoln or even within the BVD readership that holds those extreme views. Not I, nor anyone I know, wants to "kill babies, defund the police, eliminate the 2nd amendment, support riots and violence, have open borders or illegal immigration, have a weak military or a welfare state, or desire socialism or communism to be the future of the United States, to name a few of the egregious accusations made by the writers of the ad.

I don't ascribe qualities to Republicans that apply to the extremes of their Party or affiliation―racism, Fascism, white supremacy, homophobia, voter suppression, and other anti-American sentiments. There are plenty of miscreants on their "side" that they don't like much either. But the point is, how can we come together in this "beacon on a shining hill" (paraphrased), if we aren't willing to educate ourselves about our shared goals, the worthy ideals of caring for our neighbors and those less fortunate, the meaning of law and order (equal justice for all) and the guiding principles of the Constitution. How can I have a conversation with the writers of the ad I had considered friends, when now I know what they really think of me? And they are so, so wrong! I might have different opinions about some of the trigger words and ideas on both "lists," but I might surprise the writers too. I am FOR gun rights, term limits, supporting the majority of our law enforcement, legal immigration, just capitalism, free speech, non-fraudulent voting, peaceful protests, and the Constitution.

I have years of Republican/conservative views and passions behind me. (The first Democrat I voted for in my entire life was President Clinton!) I take offence now at being threatened and lied about by Republicans just because I see things from a different point of view in my later years. Where are your hearts, writers-of-the-ad? Whom were you trying to influence? The ad seems to me to serve more to denigrate the "imagined" views of the opposite Party than to influence anyone's vote. If you continue to publish this ad, I will continue to respond with the facts about what Democrats believe. I will speak for all of us who are shocked and angry and sad. . .and scared.

Liz Cain

Lincoln