Letter to the editor: Russia v. USA

I think this is a good time to explore some of the positive advantages America has over Russia.

Russia has a cruel dictator who kills and imprisons his opponents.

America has a democracy. We have (or had) an independent justice department and rule of law to prevent one person from taking power.

Our Presidents have never been allowed to fire all the military brass that might not yield to illegal orders to execute opponents.

Russia has state media. It is difficult to spread opposing views to Putin’s.

America has (or had) a free press. Trump pushes hard against any media that disagrees with him and no longer allows AP and Reuters in the press pool. This is a form of blackmail to force them to comply with him.Though Russian State media is welcome into the oval office.

Russian citizens have no guarantees of civil or individual rights.

Americans have a Constitution that guarantees freedoms and equality. We have a system of checks and balances. Though these rights only exist if someone enforces them. For that we would need an independent judiciary, a Congress willing to stand up for the rule of law and an independent justice department. Already we see attacks on individual rights, equal treatment, and the right of a woman to bodily autonomy.

In Russia the chosen oligarchs pay Putin and Putin rewards them with contracts and business.

In America we had established a system to prevent elected officials from enriching themselves. Companies bid for contracts and business with the government. Except, Musk just cancelled a contract with Verizon and gave it to his own company.

The only people who prosper in Russia are oligarchs and crime mobs.

We see in America the uber rich giving themselves tax breaks and advantages at the expense of the poor and middle class. They are cutting medicare, medicaid, social security, and SNAP.

Trump wants to be a Putin and turn America into Russia. He is well on his way to doing this. The question is will Americans let him.

-Lori Gardner, Groton