As a lifelong Democrat, it has been disheartening to watch the heart of Lewiston descend into a state of unpredictable danger, street crime and degradation.

Those who look at the voting records of most of Lewiston’s state lawmakers — starting with crime and drugs — will see that many of the proposals they have supported have had direct, harmful ripple effects on Lewiston and beyond.

Voters must also pay attention to the giveaway plea bargains churned out by the district attorney’s office, which have acted as an invitation for criminals of all kinds to comfortably operate — and ruin lives — in Lewiston.

Let’s stop this suicide by a thousand cuts. I hope other Democrats and independents who are dismayed by what has happened under “our” watch vote for Neil McLean for DA, Rick LaChapelle for state Senate and Robert McCarthy for state representative.

Maura Murphy, Lewiston