Democracy or Dictatorship

I am 98 years old and a veteran of World War II. I was in the US Navy; my three older brothers were in the US Army. I have been a History teacher and a Professor of Psychology. I was born in 1926 and was witness to most of the events described here.

My mother and father came from Italy and they talked to us about the art of Michelangelo, the music of Puccini, and the patriotism of Garibaldi. They were concerned when Benito Mussolini became the dictator in Italy and joined Adolph Hitler in 1940.

Adolph Hitler became the dictator of Germany in 1933 replacing democracy with his Nazi Party - 30% of the population -  the government of the people became the government of one man. Hitler started WWII in 1939 by attacking Poland.

I am concerned with Mr. Trump and how he could impact our country.  Here is a very short list of things from a veteran/teacher/professor that concern me:

Mr. Trump lies the way that Joseph Goebbels, Hitler’s Minister of Propaganda did: “If you repeat a lie enough times or tell a BIG LIE, people will believe that it’s the truth”. His BIG LIE that he won the 2020 election without a shred of evidence is just one of many.

Mr. Trump’s disdain of military personnel and heroes; “Suckers and Losers.” A role that he actively avoided. Mr. Trump breaks laws and cherished traditions that get in his way - e. g., Hatch Act, Emoluments, Peaceful Transfer of Power.

Mr. Trump stated that our vote - The Voice of the People - will not be needed again. Free Election has been fought for and died for by millions of American patriots.

We have a choice of government – Democracy and the needs of the people vs Dictatorship with large armies, wealth, and power. 

My brothers and I took military oaths “to defend the Constitution” with our lives - the oath the President takes contains these same words. We were all on active overseas duty when the war ended - we were on foreign soil.

My work is not done – and neither is yours. Our real dangers are coming from within our country as they were in Italy in 1925 and in Germany in 1933. We must defend our democracy from the people who think their party and they, personally, are more important than their allegiance to our country. This is our responsibility.