My Webster’s Dictionary defines an authoritarian as an adjective meaning “as believing in or characterized by absolute obedience to authority.” We have two basic types of authoritarians today. One is Russia’s President Vladimir Putin where politburo/parliament dares not to disagree with him making him a dictator in name. China’s President Xi Jinping has a stronger Communist Party to enforce his demands.

            Several countries of lesser status like Venezuela and Cuba have authoritarians. Some are controlling all functions and law enforcement in their countries. Israel and other countries have rewritten or reinterpreted their constitutions. Among those are India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan. Dissent in those countries is dealt with extra judicial means.

            The one connecting thought among all of those men is they are openly friendly and supportive of each other as a way of showing strength to stay in power even if their former laws limited their time in office. Those who lost their elections have all declared the election was fraudulent and crooked. When they are investigated they claim it is a witch hunt. Do the words sound familiar? Maybe it is because the same political advisors for Trump have worked in other countries. Most, if not all, have constitutions or laws preventing their head of state from being jailed. That is one reason Netanyahoo of Israel courted the far right to get back to Prime Minister. Does that sound familiar in this country? Postpone, delay, stall and hope to be sworn in on January 20, 2025 and protected at least four more years or until death.