Editor, The Beacon:

I’ve been hanging out at the crossroads with my protest sign on Saturdays. It’s heartening to be with others who are demonstrating our outrage at the attack on democracy coming from Trump and his minions.

But I was disturbed when a driver stopped at the light said “I love Trump.” I wasn’t disturbed by what she said. She wasn’t insulting us personally, and she has a right to express her opinion. It’s what we’re demonstrating about.

What disturbed me was someone behind me immediately started yelling insulting names over and over until the light changed. It sounded like elementary-school-playground taunts.

We will never restore a democracy by vilifying everyone on the “other” side. That only confirms the fears their propaganda incessantly drums into them about “those liberals.”

Granting Trump voters’ civility may not win them over to our views, but research shows that it will change their view of us, and lessen their susceptibility to extremist propaganda.

Steve Tonjes

DeLand