Dear Editor:
The United States boasts to the world we are the home of the “free and the brave.” And rightfully so. We enjoy freedom of speech, assembly, the press and religion that many millions of people are not even allowed to dream about. Our Constitution is the blueprint for nations striving for democracy over dictatorship. Despite the obstacles posed by our Constitution, Trump and his administration continue to lead an alliance of extreme right wing, conservative groups in assaulting the foundations of our democracy. What group is attacking public education, moving public money into private schools? What group is attempting to close universities because of their opposition to Israel? What group is making it more difficult to vote for low income and elderly voters? What group is attempting to control local elections and limit who participates in them? Who is attempting to limit access to the press and dictate what can be printed and broadcast? Who is assembling a national, centralized database on American citizens, much like those in China and Iran? The answer to all these questions is Donald Trump and his administration, leading a coalition of right-wing zealots, many with ideas deeply rooted in Nazi fundamentals. Trump throws out the ‘red herring’ of communist subterfuge as he flirts with Vladimir Putin and unveils his own daily assaults on the democracy we all hold dear. Both bodies of Congress have proven to be feckless in the extreme. We cannot afford to sit on our hands and let this happen.

Bryce Luchterhand
Unity