America fighting for its own democracy

Joe Biden and Barack Obama have given the same warning, that democracy in the United States is looking more fragile than ever. While the timing of their warning is clearly aimed at influencing voters in the midterm elections on November 8, the substance of their message is scary but essentially true. There are extremist elements in America who do not want anything to do with democracy. All they want is to damage, undermine, even kill those who hold what they perceive to be liberal views. The break-in and assault at the house of Nancy Pelosi summed up the terrifying anger that is circulating in different parts of the US. Hopefully this sort of attack on democracy is not going to become commonplace; and all the signs are that the suspected perpetrator was unhinged. But his intentions were clear, according to the police. He wanted to enter Pelosi's house and kidnap her and then bust her kneecaps. Her poor husband was the one who got attacked because Nancy, Speaker of the House, was away in Washington but the plot was aimed at her. It seems that anyone who has been a longstanding public figure and represents middle-of-the-road, centrist views could become a target for exremist right wing hatred. This is what Biden and Obama meant when they said America's democracy was at stake. Donald Trump's rhetoric and inciteful language have played a significant part in this alarming rise in anger across the US. In the lead-up to the midterms this anger is palpable. With Russia tramping on democracy in all forms and China turning sharply back towards Marxism and Leninism, the US needs more than ever to be a beacon for democracy and human values. If Trump stands for reelection and wins the presidency in 2024, the true meaning of democracy will be threatened. I fear it is as simple as that.