The massive marches in more than 2,000 U.S. cities on June 14, plus those that have occurred since, are an eloquent demonstration that citizens are deeply concerned about the dramatic direction our society is taking, with leadership that rejects dialogue and only listens to its own voice.
Washington’s authoritarianism and arrogance are beginning to be dangerous.
The economy is in chaos. Congress seems to be nonexistent as the President rules by decree. Republican members of Congress seem to have knelt to the point of ignominy before their master, whom they seem only to want to please without even asking questions.
The bill to drastically reduce Medicaid is a demonstration of contempt for the neediest. This law will leave millions of people without health insurance.
ICE agents and government guards employ the same arrogance, but with violence, to attack those who question the policies they are implementing. And the targets have included some Democrats and activists. That was the case with U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D–Calif.), who was beaten and handcuffed when he tried to ask a question during a press conference with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on June 12 in Los Angeles.
ICE agents use unmarked cars and cover their faces as if they were gang members rather than law enforcement officers. This approach is similar to that employed in countries with dictatorial regimes.
And that is precisely the direction our country is taking. Hence the marches and protests. Citizens are concerned and know they have to act.
In other countries where dictatorships have already been established, it is almost impossible to return to democracy, because those in power do not want to let go, even if they have to resort to more violence to maintain their power. And they will not hesitate to do so here. We have gotten a taste of it.
Till next month.
