Saturday May2,2020at2:00AM

There is a theory gaining traction on fringe, right-wing websites that we are in a "civil war" caused by Democrats. The theory is vastly misplaced so let's get it right. No doubt there is cultural and political conflict today but it is the product of Trump's authoritarianism, fueled by his lies, and fear mongering.

To retain power Trump is perpetrating a "moral inversion" on his followers. This is a tactic of dictators where truth becomes falsehood, fact is fiction, right is wrong. The follower must obey the authoritarian leader rather than previously held moral beliefs. Hence, they "Liberate Michigan" despite the governor of Michigan's stay-at-home order.

America is the product of Enlightenment thinking, not authoritarianism. The Enlightenment thought is an optimistic belief that people are capable of self-government. It is a belief in individual freedom, reason, science over superstition. The Enlightenment philosophers influenced Jefferson, Madison, and Franklin. Their influence is found in the Declaration of Independence, and our Constitution. It made America a beacon of freedom for the world.

Trump wants to change that so he exploits his followers through a campaign of fear, lies and distortion. He seeks to accumulate more power. He surrounds himself with fools and yes-men. He does not trust people to make political decisions so he lies.The conflict today is between the Enlightenment tradition and pessimistic authoritarianism practiced by Trump. For the sake of all that is decent, the Enlightenment must prevail.

Peter Eriksen

Walden

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Enlightenment thinking must prevail in America - Opinion - recordonline.com - Middletown, NY - Times Herald-Record