Are veterans’ sacrifices for democracy useless? – Lawrence Times

My father (Navy), mother (Army) and many other family members served our country in World War II. Never have they or other veterans risked their lives to stop the spread of democracy, freedom and individual rights. Instead, they gave of themselves in countless ways to stop the spread of authoritarianism, the suppression of freedoms, and the tyranny of the many by the few. Most of these veterans are not here to witness the danger from within the US – us – the “Christian” nationalist Republican Party. They would be extremely shocked, angry and disappointed that so many Americans are being manipulated by a pathological liar using inflammatory speech and actions borrowed from the regimes of Hitler and Mussolini.

Today’s Republicans seem oblivious to their leaders’ goals to ignore the Constitution; control over deeply personal decisions; the creation of a highly partisan judicial system; dismantling or radically altering key government agencies, including the Department of Justice, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Education, and the Department of Health and Human Services; reverse progress in the fight against global warming; make our military serve Trump rather than the Constitution; and the elimination of other fundamental rights, protections and benefits that affect us all.

MAGA Republicans’ sinister plans turn veterans’ deaths or traumatic experiences into useless sacrifices. Instead of addressing increasingly serious problems, they stoke fear and become scapegoats to encourage vulnerable people to choose grievances over solutions, imaginary fixes over real ones, and demonize acceptance of others.

Unfortunately, MAGA ultra-conservatives condone or even spread hatred, division and violence instead of promoting respect, cooperation and safety from internal and external threats. They complain about government regulations, but when they control the government, they tend to willingly regulate the lives of others to serve their own values. For example, they value women primarily for our reproductive ability to serve their purposes—as the Nazis did—which led to the abolition of reproductive rights.

The Republican Party, which elected Lincoln and Eisenhower, two leaders who valued democracy and individual freedom, began to change dramatically during the Reagan administration. For example, public education was devalued because this foundation of democracy was blamed for social problems beyond its control. Undermining education is another hallmark of authoritarianism. The Republican Party leadership is increasingly creating an extremist organization under the guise of a political party to promote the pseudo-Christian, authoritarian agenda of CN-MAGA. (See Project 2025.) This ten-year behind-the-scenes plan to control our inclusive society and our cultural beliefs and values ​​through huge changes to our political system and government is extremely dangerous to the future of our country, as well as to our democratic system. allies around the world.

Voting for leaders at all levels of government who are committed to governing “by the people, by the people, for the people” is the way to stop the dismantling of American democracy. Every vote truly matters, including yours! Please protect the Constitution on which our democratic way of life is based: a nonpartisan judiciary and public service; progress in addressing global warming; separation of church and state; fair distribution of wealth; countless personal freedoms; and much more with your voice. As Trump has stated, you will no longer have to vote if he wins the presidency because he intends to ensure that you will no longer be able to defend your values ​​and way of life with this most basic right in a democracy.

— Sandy Sanders (she/her), Lawrence

More community voices:

MORE…

MORE…