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We ought to be free. I grew up believing that Americans had freedom as part of their deal with their government. I took it as a given that I could, with my vote and participation in politics, have a part in the affairs of my nation and in my own destiny. I came to understand that democracy is the basis for political freedom and that political freedom is the basis for social freedom and economic opportunity. I understood that democracy supported a culture of fairness and inclusion, leveling the proverbial playing field for everybody. I watched as my democratic nation grew and adapted and changed to become ever more close to these principles and I liked what I saw.
I have recently seen my nation move away from these precious values and watched as authoritarians have weakened my democracy and undermined my nations culture. Fairness is not mentioned today at all, indeed it's fashionable to be unfair and to gain from taking unfair advantage, and to take away for oneself, consequences be damned. I have watched these authoritarians insist that they alone are the important stakeholders in the economy and political life of my nation and have watched these people plunder my economy, government, Treasury, nation, and culture for their own self-indulgence. These people have become, rather quickly, fascists.
Now back in power in my House of Representatives I watch them turn their authoritarian appetites on women's reproductive rights, the rights of free assembly and collective bargaining, our Public Radio system (a source of unbiased and good journalism not taint-able by money), and an attempt to make fair access to health care. I see plainly that the issues here are ones of power and control (even in their attempts to deny funding and access to health-care, where $Billions in financial sector profits are also at stake.) We, the people, are the focus here, and the authoritarian urge is to have us as powerless and captive as possible. Oh, they claim they're simply saving money, to support tax cuts to themselves, but it's about power for them, and powerlessness for the rest of us.
That is the authoritarian agenda. They cannot resist their urges. We, however, can. We must understand what authoritarianism is and where it leads, and we must oppose it for being anti-democratic and anti-American. It is in everbody's best interest that we simply say, No, to these authoritarians; as above, it's even in their best interests in the long run. We can still put them in their place as being no more, or less, than any of us all, and we can simply decline to submit to their urges. Too, we are wise to learn to identify them and keep them away from the power they crave; they are not capable of the awesome responsibilities and self-sacrifices leadership and power demand. Let us not forget that authoritarian governments, and organizations, always end, and that they always end badly, even for the authoritarian. Let us not be shy about Just Saying No to their demands and about declining to indulge their urges. We owe it to the USA to do this. Anti-authoritarianism in the American way.
