Editor,

Today, I am calling the Republican party out as the fascist party of Donald Trump. All its Judiciary Committee members aligned to vote “yes” for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, even though the majority of Americans and many credible organizations believe that he was unworthy of serving on the Supreme Court.

Approximately 30 percent of the population elected politicians now enacting policies and laws over the objection of the majority opposition.

Large numbers of brave and dedicated protesters take to the streets to voice their objections through letters, sits-ins and racing to elevators occupied by senators who might possibly have voted “no,” but to no avail.

The U.S. debt has increased by trillions, tax cuts for the rich are the mantra of the Republican/Fascist Party, health care for all has been undermined by budget cuts, the environment continues to be degraded by fascist Republican senators who repeal regulations protecting our shared air, water and other resources — and still nothing gets done to stop the harm to Americans and humankind.

I am sick to death of people who say their vote doesn’t matter and who refuse to educate themselves on what is at stake. It is not a given that we will live in the America—or the world—we once knew.

While we are being complacent, lazy, and even stupid about seeking the facts, our courts are rapidly filled with conservative judges, and while our laws and institutions are being deconstructed or ignored, Donald Trump is demonizing dissenters as “enemies.” Democrats and independents simply must vote to save the country, our democracy and our values.

Personally, I have no desire to connect with Republicans who hold the line for Trump. Trying to converse with Republicans who believe in “alternate facts” is a waste of intellect and time. As personally likeable as Norma Smith, Jill Johnson, Barbara Bailey and Rick Hannold may be, they acquiesce to the democracy-killing influence of corporate money under the Citizens United decision.

There are many more Democrats and independents than Republicans; if they turn out to vote, we can save our country from a deeply corrupt Congress and a self-serving Republican agenda that largely ignores working class Americans and women.

What will it take to make you show up to vote? More children locked up in cages, more immigrants labeled as rapists, the overturning of Roe vs. Wade, undrinkable tap water, unbreatheable air, a president who doesn’t pay taxes and contemptuously bullies persons or groups who oppose him, propaganda that disparages our free press and honest reporters?

There remains a small window of opportunity left to exert free will and vote for candidates who uphold this country’s values, institutions and laws.

If Democrats and independents do not vote, I wonder whether or not a “Hunger Games” country becomes a reality.

Paulette L. Becker

Langley