Letter: Praise for dictators, stretching power cause for concern

<p><strong>To the editor:</strong></p><p>There is a significant difference between strong leadership and dictatorial leadership. The difference lies in the mind of the leader. People with certain antisocial personality types are strongly attracted to positions of power, and use that power in a dictatorial way. Donald Trump is such a person.</p><p>Dictators tend to be narcissistic, authoritarian, brazen, bombastic and belligerent. They stroke strong emotional devotion in their followers with prejudice, bigotry, hatred, nationalism and xenophobia. They attract and empower zealous followers among people who are deprived and resentful at those who are more successful. They do this to advance their personal political goals.</p><p>Dictators gain and keep power through manipulation and/or control of mass media. Journalists and the media they represent are continually attacked by word and deed.</p><p>Dictators attack weaker, political groups as a way to curry favor with their core supporters. Minorities, foreigners, homosexuals and similar groups are easy prey.</p><p>Dictators attract sycophants who are seeking power themselves. They may disagree with the dictator, even despise him, but they support him in order to share his power.</p><p>Dictators are indifferent to the truth. They make statements obviously at odds with the facts and are not embarrassed about lying even when the lie is transparent. Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini all used the big lie to advance their efforts to gain and keep power.</p><p>Dictators are vindictive. They will destroy anyone who stands in their way. Remaining in power is all that matters to them, even if it means turning on their own citizens.</p><p>Donald Trump is not a dictator, but he exhibits many of the antisocial personality traits characteristic of dictators. His fawning praise for dictators like Putin and Kim and his repeated attempts to exceed the limits of executive power are disquieting.</p><p>The checks and balances built into the constitution prevent presidents from achieving complete power, but we cannot relax assuming that our political institutions and traditions will protect us from would-be tyrants. Nothing less than eternal vigilance will ensure the survival of government by the people, of the people, and for the people.</p><p><p><strong>Jim Curry</strong></p><p><p><strong>Franklin</strong></p>