Letter: Democracy is in danger

During World War II, Rabbi Roland B. Gittlsohn delivered a eulogy over the newly dug graves of U.S. Marines on Iwo Jima. His words are preserved at the Harry S. Truman Library. He said, “Here lie men who loved America …, officers and men, Negroes and whites, rich and poor, together … here no man prefers another because of his faith, or despises because of his  color…among these men there is no discrimination, no hatred. Theirs is the highest and purest democracy … whomever of us … thinks himself superior to those who happen to be in the minority, makes of this ceremony, and of the bloody sacrifice it commemorates, (a) … hollow mockery.

To this then, as our solemn, sacred duty do we, the living, now dedicate ourselves, to the rights of Protestants, Catholics and Jews, of white men and Negroes alike, to enjoy the democracy for which all of them have here paid the price.”

Today our democracy is, literally, being torn apart and attacked by a madman with a chainsaw. A dear friend recently sent me a book titled ”On Tyranny” by Timothy Snyder. I highly recommend it to anyone that would like to get a clearer picture of the direction this administration is currently leading us.

Except for counties that are run by outright dictators, the whole world is appalled, incredulous and dismayed by the rapid turnaround of American values, and so should everyone else in this country that believes that America must be and forever remain a strong democracy.

Stan Zabierek

New Ipswich