A recent column by Veronique de Rugy on the issue of rising authoritarianism that recently ran (“A call to fight rising authoritarianism” PDN, Dec. 31) was mostly about right wing extremism but also mentioned that left wing policies can lead to a rise in authoritarianism in government.
There was a glaring silence on the worst regimes.
Russia, where any presidential candidate running against Putin is imprisoned.
China, where anyone voicing a different opinion from the party line is in danger of prison, where slave labor is common and profitable, where political prisoners like the Falun Gong practitioners are cut up alive to have their organs sold for a huge profit.
Nations in the Islamic world where religious freedom can result in public beatings or worse.
Also ignored was the current regime in Washington, D.C., when extremist Democratic progressives are using fifth-grade tactics to permanently remain in power.
Removing the filibuster rule, where 60 senators need to vote for a bill for it to pass.
Changing territories, like Puerto Rico or the District of Columbia who vote liberal, into states so progressives can have a majority in the Senate.
Attempting to pack the Supreme Court with progressive justices so only laws they favor will stand.
We need a liberal view in our politics, but radical progressives have shoved themselves into the positions of power and seem hell-bent on ruling everyone.
John Usher
Port Angeles