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  2. S.D.
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Steps on the road to authoritarianism

To: Sen. Rounds, Rep. Johnson, Sen. Thune

From: A verified voter in Spearfish, SD

March 1

Perhaps this will help... Behaviors and tactics that are associated with authoritarian regimes and efforts to undermine democratic systems and amass power... 1. Undermine trust in existing institutions. 2. Discredit opposition and independent media. 3. Centralize control of key decision-making bodies. 4. Gain influence over the judiciary. 5. Weaken or eliminate checks and balances. 6. Increase control over security forces (police/military). 7. Create or manipulate a crisis to rally public support. 8. Enact populist policies to secure a loyal base. 9. Undermine or limit political opposition. 10. Control or suppress dissenting voices (via legislation, intimidation, etc.). 11. Expand executive power and bypass legislative bodies. 12. Expand influence over the economy (favoritism, cronyism). 13. Co-opt or neutralize rivals within the party or organization. 14. Centralize control of information and public discourse. 15. Encourage loyalty through patronage and rewards. 16. Infiltrate and control key sectors of society (media, academia, business). 17. Manipulate electoral systems or processes to maintain power. You are all involved in this at one stage or another, but primarily at steps 3, 5 ,11, and 17. History will record all this. Your actions are drafting the words of your legacy right now. It's not too late... yet.

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