Ash Adams for the New York Times
In a democracy, anyone can peacefully criticize the government without fear of retribution from the government. There is no “cost of opposition”. Under authoritarianism, by contrast, opposition comes with a price. According to a piece in the NY Times, Lisa Murkowski, Republican Senator from Alaska (in picture above), commented on the cost Republicans face in Trump’s congress:
“We are all afraid. It’s quite a statement. But we are in a time and a place where I certainly have not been here before. And I’ll tell you, I’m oftentimes very anxious myself about using my voice, because retaliation is real. And that’s not right.”
– Senator Lisa Murkowski, Republican Alaska
Senator Murkowski voted to convict in the second Trump impeachment trail. Mitt Romney, who voted to convict in both impeachment trials, was told by Republican colleagues during the second trial that they voted against conviction out of concern for their families’ safety.
This is what autocracy looks like.