JAN. 6: Beware misdirection

Over the years much has been said in LTEs to The Press about democracy and autocracy (or a variety of words meaning that). The first is based on individual liberty and the second on absolute authority from the top.

Not many people overtly support autocracy but often support individuals or processes that are autocratic in nature because doing so will result in them getting something they want. When that happens in our political system it violates many of the tenets of our form of government.

Those who choose to act in this manner often paint their efforts in patriotic hues. Sometimes those are only a form of misdirection when used by people who are, at least in appearance, part of the mainstream.

The real danger of that is that elements of our society which are not mainstream and have violent tendencies find common cause with the more mainstream people and join forces with them for a perceived common purpose. I think this is precisely what happened on Jan. 6.

MORTON KRAUS

Coeur d’Alene