Our country fought a bloody war for independence from an autocrat, a “strong man,” the King of England. We wanted freedom — a representative government run by the people themselves. Some founders feared this powerful new national government might run roughshod over individuals and states so a Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution guaranteeing certain rights, starting with freedom of religion, speech, the press, assembly and petition.

Now, unbelievably, MAGA Republicans appear to want to give up on our grand experiment with individual freedoms in favor of another autocratic “strong man” leader who’ll make them feel safe by taking total control and punishing people they fear or blame. They believe they’ve found their savior in Donald Trump, who’s promised to be their revenge and their retribution with plans to use the military and DOJ to control, imprison, deport or punish anyone who doesn’t “fit in” to his idea of what America should be.

Trump consistently calls our country “a joke,” “a third world country,” failing economically and overrun with crime due to an invasion by immigrants and other “undesirables.” This is false!

Facts: Our economy has surpassed expectations, coming back from the pandemic without a recession, setting records for higher wages, job creation, new manufacturing, infrastructure improvement, etc. and crime is actually down in areas with highest migrant population.

Trump’s hate-filled divisive words remind me of our local situation with a councilman and pastor sowing chaos by posting dire warnings of problems that don’t exist and using LGBTQ+, the homeless, renters, low-income folks, non-Christians and even other council members as scapegoats. They support only “Christian values” for our town and nation against our Bill of Rights.

Please vote blue for those who love this country, have specific plans for the future, and will protect the rights of all individuals.

Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.