Opinion: Democratic socialism isn't the danger. Authoritarianism is. - Gainesville Times

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Opinion: Democratic socialism isn't the danger. Authoritarianism is.

President Donald Trump raises his fist while boarding Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland before departing for New York, Sept. 7, 2025. Photo: Daniel Torok / Official White House Photo via Flickr / United States Government Work

Trump/Center Square — President Donald Trump raises his fist while boarding Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland before departing for New York, Sept. 7, 2025. Photo: Daniel Torok / Official White House Photo via Flickr / United States Government Work

A recent letter, echoing countless warnings from MAGA pundits, conflates democratic socialism with communism and warns that either is a serious threat to our American way of life.