Editor, Gazette-Journal:

This is a test. 

The question to answer is, “Is authoritarianism creeping over our democracy?” If so, how will we know? What indicators to look for? 

In a 2017 article titled “Increasingly a Necessity: A 15-Point Guide to Surviving Authoritarianism,” authors Kelli Holloway and Martin Myclielski suggested criteria based on Myclielski’s own experience in Poland. Indicating how subtle the changes might be, Holloway noted, “if there’s any hope, it will only come from recognizing the reality of what’s happening … how much damage is being done, and how much earth is already scorched.”

The number one rule here is to “Always think critically and fight ignorance with facts.” One must rely on the facts, not on emotions or party affiliation. No cognitive dissonance allowed.

These authors’ criteria are framed as questions below. Answer them to determine what is happening in the go...