Complacency, Big Lie threaten our democracy

To The Eagle:

Democracy is a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections. What are the biggest threats to democracy? The answer: Complacency and the Big Lie currently being perpetrated upon us by 70% of the Republicans.

Not comparing the two people, but Hitler gained his power, by way of the Big Lie, eliminating all voices against him. What is happening to Liz Cheney and Mitt Romney, prominent Republicans who voiced their opinions against 45? Now the R’s rally with Boebert, Marjorie Greene, Hawley and others, doing their damndest to destroy our faith in our democracy. See any similarities to Germany in the 30’s, or to many countries now influenced by 45’s arrogance and asserting that only "he" can fix anything?

Right now, a third recount is underway in Arizona, created by the most radicals of radicals, hoping to move the Big Lie forward. A court order was needed to be able to keep an eye on it, the same thing R’s complained about--transparency! The head of Cyber Ninjas, the Florida-based firm that Republican senators hired to oversee the audit, has embraced 45’s baseless theories of election theft and has suggested, contrary to available evidence, that 45 actually won Arizona by 200,000 votes. The pro-45 cable channel OAN (further right than Fox) has started a fund-raiser to finance the venture.

For the People and American Jobs Plan, are in my opinion, appropriately named. Of course the elected R officials--not so much R voters--are totally against this: God forbid, poor people may get on their feet. All of a sudden, the deficit is once again a priority for the R’s? Please take a look at how many corporations bought back their own stocks, enriching themselves, not innovating or expanding jobs. The 2017 tax cut and the 2018 spending bill cost $2.2 trillion combined, or one-sixth of the total 2018-2029 deficits in CBO's projection. However, both pieces of legislation contain temporary elements. If permanently extended, the two laws would cost $5.5 trillion. That would have been a time to pay down deficit!

Poul Toftemark

Rosburg