Americans must defend against the onset of tyranny

What is the modern equivalent of a king? Definitions vary but an intriguing view on this subject is offered online by William Hartanto: “Modern equivalent to kings will be Vladimir Putin. He is worth $80 billion and he can order his army to kill anyone he wants, in Russia, or overseas. He can change the law any time he wants with his control of the parliament.”

President Donald Trump, who strongly wants to be a “buddy” of Russian President Putin, very recently referred to himself as king and it’s easy to guess where Trump got his inspiration (“Trump is busy making Russia great again,” March 11). If Trump achieves his aim, this amounts to two countries under tyranny which can be defined, as the Oxford Languages Dictionary points out, “cruel, unreasonable, or arbitrary use of power or control.”

Without sufficient resistance, as history teaches us, democracies can fall into decline and become tyrannies.

Our American democracy is at same risk as others and we must take early and strong action to prevent falling victims to these assaults. If you doubt these threats or perhaps see a benevolent, democratically-elected president who can be trusted to protect our constitution and democracy, look again. Perhaps make the effort to check facts from independent observers, not propagandists, and see where we are headed. And not just in the long-term, but right now.

We must unite, regardless of political party status, and prevent the march toward tyranny — good campaign speeches notwithstanding — and defend the best system of governance ever devised. That is a constitutional democracy. Let’s walk the right path and do so together!

— Hermann Gucinski, Bel Air

In Annapolis, Democrats foolishly stick to DEI

The Maryland Democrats in the House of Delegates and Senate are at it again. They love to overreach their authority. This entire legislative session appears to be a temper tantrum in response to the election of President Donald J. Trump. The latest example is their proposed resolution, “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – The American Dream.”

Our First Amendment rights are being targeted by these extremists. Adoption of DEI principles under President Joe Biden suppressed free speech and enforced conformity of thought, stifling open debate and the exchange of ideas, especially in educational environments and in the workplace.

And what exactly did we get for all that federal spending on DEI? Instead of achieving improved outcomes in DEI, the Biden administration achieved its actual goal of creating division and resentment. The purported DEI goals are never meant to be met. More money to perpetuate their wicked schemes is what these spending addicts crave (“Former Baltimore pastor leads boycott of Target over DEI policy rollback,” March 9).

While the “American Dream” resolution is non-binding, it could set a precedent for state level mandates on local policies. Isn’t that what Maryland Democrats love to do? They live to tell us how to live.

Infringement on local government autonomy seems to be the mission of the Democrats in the General Assembly. It’s well past time our local governments push back on these ideologues and their extreme agenda.

In a further outrage, the fiscal note attached to this resolution states no direct effect on finances. Oh, really? What are the unintended costs, both direct and indirect, to our local governments and private organizations? As Democrats under the leadership of Gov. Wes Moore continue to dig us further into deeper budget deficits, it is silly stunts like this that are bankrupting our state and making us the laughingstock of the nation.

The gig is up on DEI. Risking federal funding is not a responsible use of your legislative authority. But go ahead. Pass your DEI resolution if it will make you feel better.

— Suzie Scott, Forest Hill

The writer is chair of Moms for Liberty — Harford County.