Letter: Message to responsible people in power

We are moving down a path to malignant autocracy. So far on that journey we have seen and heard maligning of the press, maligning of a well-established and respected national security apparatus and demonization of an entire religion.

This path is littered by seemingly innocent phrases: 'It's just locker room talk.” 'It's politics.” Get over it.” Each asking us to stop thinking, to disbelieve our eyes, disconnect us from our good sense.

Will responsible people in power simply sit quietly by while our democracy is torn apart by a blizzard of decrees dictated to President Donald Trump by Steve Bannon? What side of history do responsible people in power want to be on? What will they tell their grandchildren?

Responsible people in power need to make their choices soon. They need to demonstrate that the checks and balances of our democracy still work before they don't work at all.

When you hear someone say, 'What Mr. Trump is doing is entirely legal,” remember, Adolf Hitler rose to absolute power entirely by legal means. Please. Make your choices soon; before you have no power to make a choice at all.

Bruce Brown

Iowa City