Editor, Gazette-Journal:

Is authoritarianism creeping over our democracy? How would we know? What indicators should we 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 movement might be Holloway noted, “But if there’s any hope, it will only come from recognizing the reality of what’s happening here, how much damage is being done, how much earth is already scorched.”

Their number one rule is, “Always think critically and fight ignorance with facts.”

These items below are the authors’ criteria to watch. Comparing these with what has been happening in the good ole U.S., are there any behaviors that might indicate we are moving toward authoritarianism? 

“1. They will come to power with a campaign based on fear, scaremo...