To the Editor:

I would like your readers to explore an issue with me. The Trump administration has been accused of employing fascism as a way of implementing government policies. Let’s look at the definition of fascism.

Fascism is a far-right, authoritarian, and ultranationalist political ideology defined by a dictatorial leader, the forced suppression of opposition, and the subordination of individual interests for the perceived good of the nation or a particular race.

Fascism emerged in the early 20th Century and prioritized the collective nation, often using a revolutionary nationalist agenda to achieve national rebirth and employing a militaristic approach to achieve these goals.

Common sense analysis of the preceding definition of fascism, and considering current events involving President Donald Trump and members of the Republican Party leadership, have led me to believe that our longstanding and fought-for democracy is in danger of disappearing under the leadership of President Trump. 

Unless you are one of the uneducated people whom President Trump openly claims he loves, or are exercising ignorance and denial, I think you must conclude I am right.

Look again to the definition of fascism where it states that, under the rules of fascism, the employment of a militaristic approach is used to achieve the goals of a fascist government. That’s exactly what President Trump and the new secretary of war are doing, to police and control United States citizens in many of our major cities, by sending the National Guard. 

If there were a growing problem with crime in these cities — and the facts and truth say there is not — President Trump should allocate funds to help the civilian law-enforcement agencies of those cities. I’m sure they would welcome that. 

The fathers of our country were clear about not using the military in the manner President Trump intends.

Next year, 2026, the United States is celebrating its 250th anniversary, or semiquincentennial, on July 4th. Are MAGA voters, our friends and neighbors, really going to sit idly by and let the president and Republican representatives employ fascist tactics in order to achieve their agenda?

That will not be good for the democracy our forefathers fought so bravely for! Many have given their lives for the continuing pursuit of democracy in this country, not the ways of fascism.

Democracy succinctly defined is “of the people, by the people, for the people.” So all of this being said, I would discourage anyone voting for a Republican candidate in a local election to consider whether that is a good idea. If local Republicans also support President Trump and his administration, I believe they are supporting his fascist tactics to control our country as defined earlier in this letter.

I believe the support of our president’s tactics, using the military in United States cities, is poor judgement and I wouldn’t want to see those Republicans running our villages and towns. 

If you disagree, write the newspaper and make your case. I’d like to hear it and so would the readers.

Timothy J. Albright

Meadowdale