Theocracy: government of a state by immediate divine guidance or by officials who are regarded as divinely guided; a state governed by a theocracy [Merriam Webster’s Dictionary]. The government of a state by God either charismatic [prophets and spokesmen], monarchic [king or religious autocrat], or priestly [cultural equivalent]. The king/ruler/autocrat is regarded as anointed (chosen) by God, and is regarded as God’s friend, the messenger of God, God’s representative on earth, messiah (the biblical term).

Examples: (1) ancient Israel under David, (2) Plymouth Colony in 17^th century, (3) Iran today.

Authoritarian regime: favoring blind submission to  authority; favoring a concentration of power in a leader or an elite not constitutionally responsible to a people, thereby eliminating a free press, free speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of assembly.

Examples: (1) Reign of Terror in France, (2) Communist Russia, (3) Nazi Germany, (4) ?

At least once a week in my home town paper, someone writes a letter to the editor claiming that tRUMP is God’s chosen leader, our savior, the one who will deliver us from all previous evils. This accompanies claims that we are a Christian nation. These folks were ecstatic when Melania led the crowd in the Lord’s Prayer at a political rally. VP Pence is a fundamentalist Christian with a social agenda that has only begun to reveal itself in attacks on same sex marriage, criminalization of women who have an abortion, elimination of protection of transgender people in educational institutions, and cries to reinstate prayer (sectarian, of course) in public schools. Now the free press is labeled “enemy of the people,” and when reporting uncovers information and actions contra tRUMP’s narrative, it is called “fake news.” His own spokesman (Miller) admonishes us not to question the president’s views and proclamations.

The oligarchy he has surrounded himself with has begun the systematic destruction of our environment, our healthcare safety net,  our retirement financial security, and intentionally weakening our public schools (the bed rock of a democracy) through vouchers and use of public money for private and religious schools. His puppet (Sessions) is positioned to give “legal” sanction to his whims, and local, state, and (proposed) National Guard and our military are being prepared to invade homes and churches to gather, incarcerate, and deport the worst AND the least of illegal immigrants.  We are fast on the road to a militarized, authoritarian state. AND THERE IS HARDLY ANYONE IN CONGRESS WITH THE MORAL INTEGRITY AND INTELLECTUAL OBJECTIVITY TO SAY NO TO THIS MALIGNANT NARCISIST.

God and country. As of this writing, 41% of the American public approve of his policies and the direction we are moving. There is nothing more dangerous than a maniac who believes he is sanctioned by divine power. 94% of Germans were “Christian” and followed blindly. Three years ago many of us naively said Nazi Germany would never be repeated. Hate groups in this country have tripled in one year. Anti-Semitism is on the rise; cemeteries are desecrated.

People of good will, with compassion for all, welcoming to strangers, motivated by love must stand up, speak out, act. RESIST    RESIST    RESIST