Letter to the Editor: Please Choose Democracy

For me, it’s about democracy: a way of governing that depends on the will of the people. Restricted voting is not democracy. Removing rights from specific groups of people is not democracy. Redistricting our states to falsely diminish the strength of voting areas is not democracy. State legislators refusing to discuss issues that are important to the residents they represent is not democracy. Violently interfering with the peaceful transfer of power is not democracy.

Oh, how I want to understand why so many people no longer want democracy. It’s been said that “democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others,” which means, of course, that democracy is the best form of government.

I’ve lived in a democracy for 69 years, and I cannot imagine living in an autocracy: a system of government by one person with absolute power, which is the leadership we are headed toward. If autocracy occurs, we will certainly have less liberty than our democracy now provides. 

I want to continue enjoying the protections of the U.S. Constitution, affirming its “government of the people, by the people and for the people.” I cannot bear the thought of living under the cultish worship of an unfounded loyalty to only one man. Please choose democracy!

Cynthia Stiehl

Ephraim, Wisconsin