I saw something in the International News yesterday that speaks to this concern. I’m old and forgetful, so I can’t recall which country (and which authoritarian leader) was referenced, but apparently one of the European nations has been changed from a democracy into an authoritarian fascist state by its president very recently (like maybe this week).

Furthermore, the U.K. Prime Minister, (who is remarkably similar to Trump) appears to be another authoritarian with a loud mouth. (I’d bet he lies a lot too) He may also be leaning toward changing the United Kingdom into an authoritarian fascist state. Authoritarian leaders have a strong penchant for trying to take total control of the countries they lead. Humanity has struggled to rid itself of fascist authoritarians since Caesar took over Rome.

If this is a logical progression for aging countries where partisans can’t reach compromises anymore, than it may be the way that democracy dies and nations fall into ruin. Thus the time-worn epithet, “Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.” As the old philosophers have said, “Those who do not learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat it.” That’s a very scary thought right now.

I didn’t study world history in college — I was more concerned about finding employment after graduating. So my studies were in Journalism and Business Admin. That didn’t prepare me to deal with the politics of my retirement years. But I think our democracy is imperiled now.