Liberty and Justice for All

When I arrived legally in this great country from Cuba with my family, I learned many American phrases. One, my parents taught me was "I know nothing about politics" and as I grew up and learned how to speak English, I watched my folks work hard to realize the American dream.

We left everything behind in our Caribbean island paradise known as the Pearl of the Antilles, following Fidel Castro's rise with his Russian based authoritarian regime, who many didn't recognize until it was too late.

I studied, earned my advanced degrees and followed a career in media, which had me working in politics for a US President and in media for The Associated Press, the largest news cooperative.

Please note that during the most recent presidential campaign, and since, the leader of the party in power has attacked many foreign nations and individuals, so why is it has he never once attacked Russia or Putin? Here's some food for thought, on February 21, 1848, The Communist Manifesto was published by Karl Marx and by the time I was born, nearly half the earth’s population was controlled by Marxist governments. Here's an interesting example of sharing similar talking points across the oceans. Trump and Putin share a speechwriter https://youtu.be/qCJDQRowcco

Today, an online search of authoritarian regimes include a possible dark future to be brought by POTUS 45, who is believed tied to Russia and Americans fear it has been a sad year for US democracy and for the rule of law. How to Identify the Kremlin Ruling Elite and its Agents http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/how-to-identify-th…

This great nation is moving towards authoritarianism or a governing system where elections may initially take place, but citizens are cut off from knowledge about the activities of those who exercise real power because of the lack of civil liberties. Make no mistake about it, this is not an open society with a government in the sunshine. There are a growing number of countries that are categorized as probably free, falling somewhere between democratic and nondemocratic regimes. This may be because a constitution limiting government powers, but these power brokers ignore its liberties, or because of inadequate the legal framework. However, political engagement this year is the highest since the Civil Rights movement. Meanwhile, Washington DC bureaucrats are slowly chipping away at Trump’s agenda https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2017-12-18/washington-bureaucra…

Signs of Creeping Authoritarianism are = Systematic efforts to intimidate the press=Increased Fearmongering =Demonizing Opposition=Sacking the judiciary=Politicizing investigative services and security agencies.
http://foreignpolicy.com/2017/07/27/top-10-signs-of-creeping-authoritar…

AP issued a poll revealing why Republicans are desperately trying to shut down the Russia investigations, as 72% of Americans believe that Trump did something wrong or illegal with Russia, and 63% believe that the President has obstructed the investigation.

After taking early retirement from my media career, I have worked as a professor, and heard other educators say - A word to the wise is sufficient. The following words are intended for all open-minded, intelligent folks.

RESIST any changes to laws because authoritarian regimes will do anything to remain in power. Be strong, endure and stay on the right side of history. Beware of those who distort reality, deny facts and lie. They'll sedate the truth. They feed post-truth and alternative facts, replace knowledge and logic with emotions and fiction. Always think critically, fact-check and point out the truth, fight ignorance with facts. Trump’s Lies vs. Obama’s https://nyti.ms/2kpv9x4

Which individual insists on fabricating and leaking fake superficial scandals? To smear opposition with trivial accusations, and then feed the flame with a thick smokescreen. To propose shocking policies to provoke your outrage. You will focus your efforts on fighting them, so they will seemingly back off, giving you a false sense of victory. In the meantime, there will be efforts will push through legislation dismantling democracy. https://reut.rs/2kA62I0

To rewrite the truth to suit their needs and use the education system to support their agenda. They will smear any organization or individual who doesn’t approve of their actions. They will try feeding young minds with their version of history and philosophy. They will raise a new generation on their ideology, backing it with a distorted interpretation of the world. Guard the education of our children; teach them critical thinking; ensure their open-mindedness and protect our history and heritage. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/devos-wants-to-delay-spe…

To alienate foreign allies and partners, convincing us that we don’t need them while embracing longtime adversaries. They won’t care for other countries, with their focus on making the nation great again. While ruining the tax structure to fulfill populist promises, they will omit the fact that we’re part of a bigger world whose development depends on cooperating, sharing, and trading. Don’t let them build walls promising border security instead, build bridges to prosperity. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/16/opinion/sunday/war-trump-islamic-sta… https://www.apnews.com/fe6a15e5d16a40718ad4d80ef22a8864

To try to manipulate the electoral system. They might say it’s to correct flaws, to be more similar to the rest of the world, or just to make it better. They wouldn’t be messing with it at all if it wasn’t to benefit them in some way. https://www.propublica.org/article/whos-really-in-charge-of-the-voting-…

To dumb down the rhetoric, coin new terms and labels, repeat shocking phrases until you accept them as normal and subconsciously associate them with whom they like. Terms like the left, crooked, liar or traitor will be the way they refer to the opposition. Their slogans will have a double meaning, giving strength to their supporters and instilling angst in their opponents. Fight changes in language and preserve the true meaning of words. They will take over national symbols, associate the flag with their regime. They want you to forget that it is our flag, our anthem, and our symbols that belong to We, the People, and to all of US equally. Don’t let them be hijacked. Use and expose them as much as they do. Show our national symbols with pride; let them give you strength, not associate you with the tyranny they try to bring to our country.
https://apnews.com/4822db4cac9249dfb46280095e078970

To focus on those who have been hurt the most, women and minorities. They will act as if democracy was majority rule without respect for any groups. They will paint foreigners and immigrants as potential threats. Racial, religious, sexual and other minorities will become enemies to all order and security they are supposedly providing. They will challenge scientific status, undermine gender equality and interfere with reproductive rights. They are aware of the threat women and minorities poses to their rule, so let us make it our strength. Everyone should join the cause, reminding the majority what true democracy is all about. https://usat.ly/2Bo7Pdv

To try to take control of the judiciary to change court rulings and previously adopted practices. They need to remove the checks and balances to be able to push through unconstitutional legislation. Controlling the judiciary they can also threat anyone that defies them with a prosecution, including the free press. Preserve the independence of our courts at all cost; they are our safety valve, the safeguard of the rule of law and our democratic system. http://abc7.com/2787272/ http://apne.ws/jMbLXfP

To limit freedom of assembly, calling it a necessity for our security. They will enact laws prioritizing state events and rallies, or those of a certain type or ideology. If they can choose who can demonstrate legally, they have a legal basis to forcefully disperse or prosecute the rest. Oppose any legislation attempting to interfere with freedom of assembly, for whatever reason. http://wapo.st/2yGuqwx

Frightening ways Trump’s America mirrors Hitler’s Germany https://www.salon.com/2017/12/19/frightening-ways-trumps-america-mirror…

Hashtags gave voices to millions of cultural, social, racial and political revolutionaries worldwide. What about this hashtag for all of US citizens after a very long year? #AmericanLiberty Americans pessimistic about Trump, and the country: AP-NORC Poll https://www.apnews.com/9079eca84bc542a7bdd79b65fae1e53f

Hashtags have proven to be powerful tools #ArabSpring #JeSuisCharlie #MeToo #BlackLivesMatter #ICan'tBreathe so why not #LibertyandJusticeforAll Our nation needs to be united in all investigations of anyone in power. No ifs and or buts. Regardless of the party or any position held.