Thank you for sharing this honest and what must be extremely painful explanation of what is happening in Russia.

What strikes home to me is that the USA would be in exactly the same place had trump won a second term. We are fortunate that we still had media willing to tell the truth about trump...too belatedly for the 2016 election, but at least picking up their responsibilities in 2020.

We are still living with the possibility that the same kind of thinking will win out in our 2022 midterm elections, where the Democratic majority could be lost. Plus of course we have Sinema and Manchin behaving treasonously and foregoing their true obligations to their country. We have to maintain and hopefully improve Democratic control of both congressional houses.

Based on polls (tho I don't quite believe them), this country is teetering on the edge of anti-democratic (small 'd') control. We are on the edge of becoming like Russia if people don't wake up and recognize what lies around the corner again if they fall under the spell of the "Republicans" again. (In quotes because they are not, in fact, true Republicans. Lincoln is spinning in his grave over what the party has become!)

I am in my twilight years, so not many worries for myself. But I have 5 grandchildren, ages 15-30, and it terrifies me what they could have to face.

However, we have heard of dissent in Russia actually happening despite the risks people take in expressing those opinions. They have to be the bravest people. Makes people's complaints about $4 + a gallon gasoline extremely outrageous. We have to pay more at the pump. Dissenting Russians have to pay with their lives and their "freedom" (such as it is). Not to mention the daily terror and danger confronting Ukrainians.

Bless you for telling the truth. Sharing on FB and Twitter....