I know many people who hope our nation will recover once the reign of our current U.S. president is over. This idea is convincing because many mental health professionals recognize him as a dangerous narcissistic, antisocial, paranoid, dictatorial bully. However, much of his destruction of our democratic republic may outlive him because some may be irreversible and the dangers also lie in his many admirers. Too many people either don’t recognize his dangerous characteristics, don’t care about them, or even admire them and want an authoritarian dictator. Apparently, these people don’t understand the importance of our U.S. Constitution and legal system in spite of those governmental entities being the most revolutionary aspects of our nation. True elections followed by the peaceful transfer of power were virtually unknown when our nation was founded.
The oath I took as an Army officer to support and defend our Constitution is one every American should practice. But you cannot defend the Constitution if you don’t know what it says. Civics and social studies education in America has declined substantially in recent decades in spite of the fact that public education was created because democracy requires an educated citizenry. It is shocking that a 2024 survey by the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg Public Policy Center documented “that only 5% of the U.S. adults surveyed could name all five First Amendment rights, and 20% could not name any.” Another 2024 survey of 3,000 college students found that one-third of students thought senators serve a four-year term and were not sure who is the chief justice of the Supreme Court.
Because we now live in a culture of pervasive disinformation and propaganda spewed by anyone with malicious intent and internet access, as well as by our highest leaders, skepticism and critical thinking are essential. For example, claiming that Tylenol (acetaminophen) causes autism and, therefore, should be avoided is ignorant and unconscionable, especially for a president or a Secretary of Health and Human Services. If a study finds that women who take Tylenol while pregnant are more likely to have autistic babies, does that prove that Tylenol is dangerous? Or is it equally possible that fever and inflammation during pregnancy increase the risk of autism, and since Tylenol is used by women for fever and inflammation, it can appear to be related to autism? Many carefully designed studies have shown that Tylenol does not cause autism. It’s easy for unqualified individuals, especially those with a bias or political agenda, to misinform. It’s very important to use critical thinking when evaluating information. The error about Tylenol is the same as thinking that ice cream causes people to drown because many people who drown have eaten ice cream.
According to a Washington Post article on Oct. 29, Homeland Security has disseminated videos that give false information about immigration activities. For example, a Homeland Security video claiming to be an ICE raid in D.C. was actually in Nantucket; another claiming to be in D.C. was actually in West Palm Beach, Florida; one claiming to be in Portland, Oregon, was really in Broadview, Illinois; a claim of chaos in Chicago was actually in Uvalde, Texas; and a video showing an “illegal alien” crossing a border during the past administration was taken during Trump’s first term. Such lies are meant to convince the public that certain places are out of control and justify Trump’s “emergency” actions.
Citizens must have competent leaders and accurate knowledge of our national issues. Our constitutional democratic republic cannot survive unchallenged lies and propaganda, nor a dictator.
Dr. Bob Stewart is a retired clinical psychologist and a former Army captain and combat helicopter pilot. He moved to Greeley in 1971.
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