Larry D. Lauer

Democracies are very difficult to save.

A democratically elected leader can easily morph into an obsessed autocrat. This might be missed at first, but such a person usually has character flaws that can be traced to childhood; has consistently shown only self-centered motivations; has a complete lack of empathy; and has a mean-streak always directed at those who disagree with him. History teaches that when such a person becomes a nation’s leader, any democracy will always be under serious threat.

Once in office, this kind of person will demand loyalty. A tributary system will quickly appear where loyalty will bring benefits, and criticism will bring punishment and humiliation. Brainwashing messages, tangible symbols, endless propaganda statements (or tweets), and staged-for-TV events will become features of the entire administration. Considered unnecessary, basic governmental and other institutions will be reduced in size and importance, and many of the top experts that inhabit them will prepare to leave, or will be fired. What some call the “Stockholm Effect” will eventually take hold, and many of those immersed in this autocracy will actually develop a psychological dependency on it. Authoritarians always show an admiration of dictators early on, and will eventually extend their power by bonding with them.

History teaches that once a democracy is lost, its culture will very likely go too. In this manner, entire civilizations have been lost. So far the United States still has the skeleton of a democracy. The thought that we could lose it all should terrify us.

This much is crystal clear from this president’s behavior… only a vote for Biden can save our treasured democracy!