Preserve democracy

It’s hard to fathom why our Republican leaders and friends want to govern with absolute power and call it “freedom.” Freedom is not banning books, restricting voting, overturning a free and fair election, or denying medical treatment for any group or disease. Freedom isn’t controlling what women can do with their bodies. Freedom isn’t canceling another race or group. Freedom isn’t giving vouchers to the already rich so their students can “LEARN” without fear, or regulating what teachers can teach. Freedom isn’t reducing financial assistance to the jobless, or lowering Medicare or Social Security benefits.

If giving up freedom of choice is your definition of freedom, you should ask the people from 1930s and ’40s Germany what life was like, or the people of Russia currently living under Vladimir Putin’s rule.

When one group is forced to give up its freedoms, the rest of us will be asked to do the same. Soon our freedoms will fall like dominoes. Losing rights/freedoms is the first step toward an autocratic government. We need to ask ourselves what we are willing to give up to cede power to those who govern.

I am okay with being “woke” and living in a democracy where everyone has a chance to live as they please. True freedom comes from a place of empathy and fairness where all people are treated with dignity and respect. It isn’t restricting the choices of others or enacting unjust laws without input from citizens. It isn’t locking up librarians, teachers, doctors or one’s opponents. It is hopeful and just. It is encouraging and allows all of us to live and work together to fulfill the promise of America.

We need to ask ourselves what we value, what rights are important to us, and whether we want to live in a democracy or an autocracy. I am hoping our legislators re-examine their priorities and choose democracy over autocracy and power. Otherwise, we must use our freedom at the ballot box to preserve our democracy.

DORRIE MECKES Cabot