During President Obama’s governance, Republicans continually spoke about freedom. They accused Obama of overreaching and the abuse of his executive powers. Of course, the criticisms were disingenuous and more projection than reality for it is they who are moving us towards fascism.
The reality is that recently it is only one party usurping the freedom of the majority of Americans. The Republican party decided to throw Democracy out the door by all means necessary. The Houston Chronicle reported that a Texas superintendent chose to do just that.
Needville ISD Superintendent Curtis Rhodes on Tuesday threatened to suspend any student who disrupts schools or walks out to protest current gun laws.
In a letter sent to families and published on schools’ social media sites, Rhodes said students would face a three-day, out-of-school suspension if they joined in growing protests nationwide over the shooting at a Florida high school last week.
“Life is all about choices and every choice has a consequence whether it be positive or negative. We will discipline no matter if it is one, fifty, or five hundred students involved,” Rhodes wrote. “All will be suspended for 3 days and parent notes will not alleviate the discipline.”
This superintendent is attempting to deny his students their right to free speech and protest threatening a likely punitive college affecting draconian act to prevent them from addressing an existential issue to many children. Americans should be tired of acquiescing to the voice of the minority.
If one doubts the undemocratic nature of the Republican Party’s control of America, note the following.
- Two recent presidents, George W. Bush and Donald Trump, lost the popular vote but won the election, a constitutional aberration.
- In 2012, Democratic candidates won slightly more votes in US House elections and Barack Obama won the state. But the state’s 18 House seats didn’t split 9-9 between the parties — instead, Republicans won 13 seats there, and Democrats just won five. No seats changed partisan hands in the 2014 or 2016 elections, either.
- 97% of Americans want background checks for all gun buyers, yet Republicans refuse to buck the NRA and support their constituents.
The above are just a few examples that illustrate our gradual descent into fascism. This is how it starts and grows. Only you can stop it. Robert Reich recently laid out the path.