Pay close attention: America is in danger

History will record when America lost its mind. It began when they elected a president who ran the Oval Office like he was the tough boss. He prided himself on making deals, not caring if he cheated the government and people out of money, all in the name of touting himself as rich and smart.

He made the rules, ignoring legality or what the Constitution said. He distrusted advice from the military, State Department, FBI or scientists. Those who wouldn't share his opinions began to disappear. He enlisted the attorney general as his personal lawyer, surrounded himself with yes-men and ran things exactly as he pleased.

And the people followed.

He had his own propaganda machine, used the media to say only what he wanted people to hear and discredited everything else as fake news. He held rallies, whipping up a fever of patriotism and anger against various groups for being enemies who were ruining the country.

He proclaimed the need to fight for whites to be in charge of the economy, laws and the government. Organized right-wing vigilante groups began to appear with guns claiming to be his army. When citizens rose up to voice opposition, he used military force. His supporters followed his lead even during a pandemic, though it meant citizens who didn't support him were dying.

History will record when America lost its mind. The German people didn't see the danger of an ego-maniacal leader either until it was too late. Martha Hodges Massena