To the editor:
The very first sentence in last week's letter from Rob Denham claims Democrats go around calling conservatives fascists or Nazis. That's simply false. Democrats aren't calling conservatives fascists, because they're not -- we're calling Donald Trump a fascist because of his words, his agenda and his deeds: Incompetently executed mass deportations, purging civil servants for political loyalty, weaponizing the Justice Department to prosecute perceived enemies, using the military in an attempt to crush dissent, trying to silence late-night comedians and repeatedly undermining elections. That's not conservatism -- that's textbook fascism.
Don't just take my word for it -- three of the most respected retired military leaders in modern history, Gens. Mark Milley, James Mattis and John Kelly, have all warned that Trump is a danger to democracy and "fascist to his core." These men served under presidents of both parties, including in high-level positions in the first Trump term, so they witnessed it first hand. When lifelong military commanders start sounding alarms about authoritarian behavior, Americans should pay close attention.
Trump is salivating for the Nobel Peace Prize, yet he's literally declaring war on American cities. The massive protest rallies from Oct. 18 in more than 2,500 cities drew more than 7 million Americans. That's 2 percent of the country's population. It's a glowing testament to what average Americans are feeling about the country we love; they are peacefully protesting which is as American as apple pie.
There's also the intentional deceitful confusion over Antifa. The literal definition of Antifa is anti-fascist. During World War II, every American soldier who fought Hitler and Mussolini was, in spirit, Antifa. Being against fascism isn't an insult -- it's supposed to be our national default. It's ironic that some now treat the term as a slur, as if opposing fascism were somehow un-American.
As for the writer's outlandish claim that Democrats are anti-military or unpatriotic -- tell that to the millions of Democrats who've worn the uniform. Supporting our troops also means taking care of them when they come home, something Democrats consistently fight to do through expanded VA care, mental health services and pay raises. Patriotism isn't blind obedience to one man; it's the courage to make America live up to its ideals.
Painting all Democrats as fascists because you don't like their policies is the same kind of broad-brush smear Denham accuses others of using against conservatives.
Democrats aren't the enemy of America -- we're sounding the alarm about where Trump and his sycophantic enablers are steering this nation because we love this country so much. The Greatest Generation, as Tom Brokaw called them, fought fascism in Europe so we could live in freedom at home. They'd be appalled to see those same authoritarian tendencies resurfacing here 80 years later.
If you don't believe me, check for yourself: Ask google in AI mode this simple question, "What is a fascist?". You'll see in the response that it describes exactly what Trump is doing to our country and not what Democrats allegedly support.
Eddie Abdalla
Chairman
Jefferson County
Democratic Party