All of us, regardless of political affiliations or sentiments – whether Democrat, Republican or independent – should take a long hard look at the state of our politics. We must temporarily ditch our political beliefs and personal thoughts about single issues to take stock of what is happening in the United States today. We must do this without partisan passion or personal advantage and step up to right the ship of state. There will be time later to take up the cudgel for important issues such as immigration, downsizing the government or foreign aid. If we don’t, I’m afraid that all power will reside in Washington and we will all be losers, whether left or right in our persuasions.
Plainly speaking, federal control over universities, the courts, law firms, the media, corporations, and the economic system would result in the destruction of democratic and constitutional government. All power might then reside with the president, his political party and closest associates and play out to the drumbeat of jingoistic nationalism, militarism and racial and religious elitism. We have seen this frequently in history, most recently in Cuba, Venezuela, China, Iran and Russia.
We must reject the sanctimony of our beliefs and present an unwavering resistance to authoritarian government. It doesn’t matter what you call it, the current decisions and actions coming out of Washington are leading us down the road to fascism.
And, if so, the nation will never be the same. Freedom of speech could become the least of our worries.