To the Editor:

When will the absence of truth telling in the public statements of President-elect Donald Trump become his undoing? We are asked to accept his recent plea of ignorance in not remembering his earlier statement about the Carrier jobs not going to Mexico and to understand his use of euphemism to defend this and other prior statements (he should consult a dictionary). And yet, why should we not expect him to tell the truth?

Of course, simple competence should be expected of presidents but there are many other reasons to oppose his behavior. It assaults faith in government, which is at an all-time low, and further divides an already divided country. A president who lies repeatedly devalues individual honesty and reduces the good faith that relationships of all kinds require. Children will need to be protected from the daily presidential news. One could go on and on.

Of course impeachment will follow. It may take time, but it will come at that point whether through his incompetence or deceit his behavior rises to the level of being criminal. When someone yells ‘Fire’ in a crowded theater and there is no fire, the lie can land you in jail. What will the presidential equivalent be?

In the meantime, good citizens will befriend the immigrant, aid the neglected, oppose all forms of misogyny, racism, anti-Semitism, or homophobia and elect responsible local and state politicians.

– The Rev. William S. Gannon, Bedford