Jon Paul: Why has the country simply accepted authoritarianism?

To The Daily Sun,

I keep asking myself: why has the country accepted authoritarianism with open arms?

The answer that keeps coming back to me is that people were tired of a democracy that appeared unable to serve them. Democrats pushed major social changes, which the country was not ready for. Republicans promised ethical reform and to “drain the swamp.”

Instead, they lost their moral compass and spine, and gave up their party, just for one man. Both parties are averse to bipartisanship when its needed the most. When neither party creates meaningful positive changes in the average American's life, people naively assume, how could their situation get any worse under a dictator? A calculated risk with a lot to lose.

History shows us that once a society goes autocratic, it's virtually impossible to put the genie back in the bottle. Enter a 79-year-old snake oil salesman with inflated, unrealistic, grandiose promises, and people came running. People apparently wanted a wrecking ball approach in making change.

My generation and the generations before have left an absolute mess for the younger generations to deal with, and the current administration is using fear as a commodity. Is it any wonder why anxiety and depression has skyrocketed in young people? They are not dumb, the only thing they see is inheriting a dystopian world without much hope.

Do I have any words of wisdom to give to them? Not really, other than to cling to God and your family and practice kindness. Happy holidays. 

Jon Paul

Alton