Because. One. Man. Lied.

By FRANK LINGO

Because one man lied in Germany 90 years ago, their democracy became a dictatorship.

Because one man lied in Italy 100 years ago, their democracy became a dictatorship.

Because those liars got millions of fanatical followers, they started World War II and caused over 50 million people to be killed before democracy was restored.

Because one man lied in America, an angry mob of his followers attacked the United States Congress and tried to overthrow a fair election. The liar told the mob to fight like hell or they wouldn’t have a country anymore.

Because one man lied, over 800 of his followers have been convicted of crimes in the attack on Congress. If the liar incites an attack again, his followers could bring automatic rifles and many people might die.

Because one man lied, our democracy is in danger of becoming a dictatorship. If he gets elected again, that might be the end of free and fair elections in America.

Because one man lied about voter fraud, millions of people believe him and now think voting in America is rigged. Few of his followers thought that voting was rigged before the liar came along.

Because one man lied, his lawyers also lied as they brought at least 60 lawsuits into court around our country to stop the election. Each judge dismissed each case because of no evidence, even though some of the judges had been appointed by the liar.

Because one man lied, the Republican Party now prefers rule of lies rather than rule of laws.

Because one man lied, The Republican National Committee called the attack on Congress, when people died and over 100 police officers were injured, “a normal tourist visit.”

Because one man lied, the lives of the Vice President and members of Congress were threatened. Thanks to the bravery of the Capitol Police, their lives were saved.

Because one man lied, the Republican Party of Abe Lincoln that preserved the union is gone, the Republican Party of Teddy Roosevelt that fought against monopolies is gone, and the Republican Party of Ike Eisenhower who fought the fascists is gone. Now the Republican Party is a personality cult for their favorite fabricator. It relishes racism, lets the rich run rampant, and embraces fascism.

Because one man lied, the conservative news media repeated and amplified his lies until they became the gospel of a new cult.

Because one man lied so often and so insistently, millions of otherwise reasonable people believed him, and now believe any crazy conspiracy he conjures up.

Because one man lied, his cult of Christians has devoted itself to an Anti-Christ, a man who is a force of evil.

Because one man lied, the United States of America faces our worst crisis since the Civil War. Unless everyone who knows the truth shows up to vote in 2024, we could easily lose our great democracy where the majority rules, and instead sink into tyranny of the minority led by a malignant maniac.

Tell everyone you know — like you would if the building caught fire. It’s an emergency.

Because one man lied.

Frank Lingo, based in Lawrence, Kansas, is a former columnist for the Kansas City Star and author of the novel “Earth Vote.” Email: lingofrank@gmail.com. See his website: Greenbeat.world

From The Progressive Populist, February 15, 2024

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