Democracy attacked by Trump bullies
Our president shrinks from the role of leader of the free world, denigrates our judiciary and attacks our free press as he heaps praise on authoritarian leaders.
Trump flatters Kim Jung Un, calling him "a pretty smart cookie" and says he would be honored to meet with the murderous dictator.
Last September, in an interview with Fox News, Trump gave Syria's Assad an "A" for leadership.
Trump has taken time away from his busy schedule of touting television shows, tweeting insults, blaming others for his failures and promoting his golf courses to reach out to repressive, authoritarian leaders - congratulating Turkey's Erdogan and inviting Egypt's Sisi and the Philippines Duterte to visit the White House.
Dismissing Russia's interference in our elections, the Republican standard-bearer has praised Putin for his leadership skills and for his approval "ratings." Trump is all smiles and glad handing in welcoming Russia's Kislyak to the White House. During Angela Merkel's visit, Trump ignored the offer of a handshake from the leader of one of our strongest allies.
Our president advocates for a government shutdown, changing the Senate rules to eliminate the checks and balances which hinders advancement of his extremist agenda and dismantling those Federal courts which ruled against his travel bans. The White House is looking into changes to the laws so that media outlets can be sued for unfavorable coverage of the president.
We citizens cannot sit on the sidelines while our dysfunctional, submissive Republican Congress is complicit as Trump, and his cadre of bullies, begins to move our country toward authoritarianism. Now is not the time to be complacent as our democracy is under attack. We must speak out and demand that our Congressional representatives uphold our principles and defend our constitutional rights. Silence is acceptance, we must not be silent.
Jane Cox
Wheaton