DEMOCRACY'S FINALE

I was born under the extreme right-wing dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista. My family had to leave everything behind when we fled the extreme left-wing dictatorship of Fidel Castro. I can assure you neither method is best for US.

Neither the authoritarian rule of a fascist nor a crushing socialist is the method to make The United States of America greater than it already is.

This may be the best time for a real refresher on ideologies and historical references that crop up while analyzing the present circumstances facing The US.

Try to recall a ruthless individual who lies, cheats and attacks his opponents. A defiant demagogue and a puppet of the enemies of democracy. Look around, there are plenty of nations which do not adhere to our democratic way of life.

A person who claims that they alone know more than anyone else and only he can protect and speak for the people while claiming to be fighting against a corrupt and rigged system.

We must not overlook obvious signs of islamophobia, misogyny, racism, nativism, fascism, anti-Semitism, populism and many other isms.

Try to apply the meaning of such terms and do not allow them to be confused with legitimate problems or objections. Do we want to support a single party system that warms up to foreign intelligence influences?

Cats are said to have nine lives, but dictators manage to stay in power through democratically elected leaders. A dangerous and vindictive person punishes opponents and breaks a promise in a heartbeat without remorse. I have personally lived through this twice before.

Caudillos have long been fashionable in America, but the best way to keep our great democracy and make it even better is to learn from history, which some fear may repeat itself right here.