ONE MORE STEP: Authoritarianism comes closer

One more step toward authoritarianism. Did you see what was flown off the Agricultural Building in Washington, D.C.? Photos of Trump and Lincoln for the 163rd birthday of the department. This is what dictators do such as Stalin, Saddam Hussein or Castro to mention a few.

We have people being taken off the streets by plain-clothed men. Officers wearing masks and arresting public officials. We need to remember the poem: First They Came by Pastor Martin Niemoller. First they came for the Communists, And I did not speak out, Because I was not a Communist, Then 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 out for me.

The Republican Party just passed a bill that will do cuts to the middle and lower classes. Who benefited? The top 1%. They got tax cuts. I did some of my traditional shopping for Christmas ornaments for the family and the price increased by 20% starting May 2. This means that I will have to cut my spending by 20%. The tariffs have hit! Call or email your representative or senator. Tell them what a “great” job they are doing. “NOT.” Elections are coming.

JUANA PERLEY

Coeur d’Alene