MY TURN: Have courage in fight against authoritarians

In response to the Feb. 29 My Turn by Reid Harlocker, thank you for articulating what many of us are thinking. It takes courage to stand up and say what needs to be said in this volatile environment. 

I am 72 years old, have lived here for 51 years and I've never felt so much anxiety over the future of our beautiful North Idaho. The fascist tentacles of Regan and his cronies have put a pall over my hometown. Thank goodness North Idaho Republicans are trying to steady the boat. 

The rise of Christian Nationalism is a force to be recognized. As Harlocker put succinctly in his column ... because of Putin, Russia's brief interlude of "peace and tolerance have been replaced by a political cult centered around religious dogma and misguided nationalism." 

Is that what is happening here? We have the leader of the Republican Party expressing admiration for Putin and his leadership (Authoritarianism). The United States used to be a bastion of democracy around the world. Now there is a segment of our population who seem to be willingly indoctrinated by the rantings of an egomaniac. 

Locally, it has come to my attention that there is a candidate running for the office of county commissioner who is the outreach pastor for the Altar Church. Would he be representing the views of his church or representing the needs of the Coeur d'Alene populace? 

The first immigrants in what is now the United States came in the 1600s from England to escape religious persecution. The First Amendment prevents the government from making laws regulating the establishment of religion or prohibiting free exercise of religion ... then goes on to protect freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom of assembly and petition. 

The founders made a pretty big deal over the government not interfering with people's religion. Pay attention folks … are the people who are trying to run our local government entities pushing their church's dogma on our community or are they supporting a flourishing community where people can worship the way they want, read what they want and provide an equal education for everyone? 

This Martin Niemoller quote from the 1930s and the rise of Hitler keeps running through my thoughts: 

"First they came for the socialists and I did not speak out because I was not a socialist. 

"Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. 

"Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. 

"Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak for me."

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Sue Spafford is a Coeur d'Alene resident.