A weak and defenseless welfare state

Only three things matter in the presidential election: The House, the Senate, and the Supreme Court. In my opinion the candidates themselves are the two weakest and most deceitful and untrustworthy individuals to seek the office since I cast my first vote for Barry Goldwater in 1964.

Trump seemed to peak in the first debate with his quip about Rosie O'Donnell and has spiraled downward ever since. However, as he continued on with outrageous comments and behavior his core base of support has grown stronger. He could have elevated himself by addressing critical issues in an articulate and intellectual way, but when he did he eventually just regressed back to meaningless rhetoric.

Clinton cannot rise above her dismal performance as Secretary of State. Putin played she and Obama like a violin as he invaded the Ukraine, the Syrians laughed at us over our "line in the sand" regarding chemical weapons. She ignored the rise of Isis, but instead concentrated on sacking Khadafy in Libya, creating a vacuum Isis has now filled. North Korea mocks us with their missile tests, as Iraq and Afghanistan reel under the withdrawal of American troops. Can any American say they feel safer now than when she took office as Secretary of State? She led the destruction of American foreign policy as we backed away from our leadership in the Free World.

I reluctantly vote for Trump as the lesser of two evils because he will appoint conservative Judges to the Supreme Court who will strictly interpret and respect our Constitution. Clinton appointees would change America into a weak and defenseless liberal welfare state, so if she is elected it is critical to stop her with overwhelming Republican majorities in the House and Senate.

Steve Thompson

South Elgin