Let’s take a look at the people in our country vilified by thought leaders on the far right of the Republican Party. The people they constantly vilify are Democrats, appointed and elected government officials, poll workers, medical researchers, teachers, librarians, nurses, pre-school assistants, and so many others. What do these people have in common?

They are Americans of every hue and place; they are parents; they are neighbors; they are volunteers; they are consumers; they are mentors; they are us.

These ordinary people not leftists; they are not groomers; they are not haters; they are not anti-American; and they are certainly not plotters overturning our Constitution. Sadly, they are the objects of right wing distortions, lies, and idiotic, dangerous conspiracy theories.

Thanks to this constant vilification by those on the far right, these good people performing services so essential to our society are subjected to nasty names, public shaming, vile threats, and even violence.

GOP thought leaders do nothing to ‘call off these dogs.’ Instead, they encourage and/or rebroadcast this evil, or they stand silent when they know the harm their complicity does to the lives and livelihoods of so many good people. What a travesty!

Where this all ends is no mystery. The choice still remains with people of good will to practice and defend democracy through civic auction and the ballot box. Otherwise, we will move inexorably toward authoritarianism. Easy, no. Essential, you bet!

Will Newman

Tiverton