In his letter to the editor of the August 24^th edition of the Tullahoma News, I quote Ray Artman as saying “It’s our turn to run the country”.  Exactly what does that mean?  Exactly who makes up this “our”, and how to does “our” propose to “run the country”?  I guess you believe in the authoritarian idea that only one side should “set the policies”, conveniently doing away with compromise inherent in a functioning democracy?

Who are all the “far left loonies” you speak of?  Anyone that doesn’t agree with how “our” side proposes to “run the country”?  I wonder why – as you say – 92% of main stream media coverage has been anti-Draco II?  These news sources have been around for a century or so, have lots of experience, and support democracy:  Fox, Newsmax, OAN, etc. have only been around for short while and are solidly right-wing.  Maybe mainstream media perceives Draco II’s actions as non-democratic and that is the reason they report his shenanigans as anti-American.  Labeling all those mainstream media folks as “far left loonies” makes them vulnerable to violence from extremists on the right, makes them ripe for Draco II’s inquisition or retribution, and/or the pulling of their licenses as Draco II has already threatened. 

As far as the “joke” that democracy is at risk that is exactly the pablum a would-be authoritarian/dictator pushes so that you won’t know how democracy fell until after it does:  then it will be too late.

I agree that gerrymandering is wrong, at any level, at any time, and if done for partisan reasons should be thrown out or corrected by the courts.  But, gerrymandering has been done for partisan reasons by both sides almost since the beginning of our democracy, and once one side perceives the other has gained an advantage, the disadvantaged side tries then to do what they can to reverse the power play:  both sides are wrong, but that is what “we the people” allow to happen, have for generations, and are still allowing to happen:  shame on people of both sides who want an advantage over other people to control them, don’t care if others suffer, are willing to see injustice done in the name of partisan politics, feel “their” AMERICAN way is the only right way, etc:  everyone should have agency and their votes count equally.

Pushing division as MAGA does only helps to cement a one-party government of the “right” people, for the “right” people, and by the “right” people (pun intended); that seems to be the new mantra as the “Conservatives cheer on” MAGA.  Well, compromise is not a dirty word.

American and global society is like a Jenga tower, so complex now that no one knows how it’s all put together.  But, as Draco II continues to remove or destroy “good” portions of the tower, at some point it will collapse.  Ray, you may “enjoy” this ride now, but the loss of American democracy won’t be enjoyable for everyone.

Bob Bates

Tullahoma