To the Journal editor:

Donald Trump and his cult-like supporters including U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet, don’t appear to be true believers in democracy.

They don’t realize that their actions support an alternative to democracy — fascism. Fascism is defined as “a government headed by a dictatorial leader using forcible suppression of opposition.”

Sadly many people are still caught up in this powerful “political cult” and will not believe the more than 60 courts telling them their leader really did lose a presidential election.

They tried to stop the peaceful, democratic transfer of power on Jan. 6 believing they were doing the right thing. These people were lied to by their leader — indeed, by their leaders. These lies continue to divide the country, promoting hate speech and death threats against elected representatives holding different beliefs or perspectives.

It appears that our democratic republic was designed to function best by working together for compromise legislation which would hopefully benefit all the citizens, not just those with wealth or power. I believe the future of our democracy has never faced a greater risk than this cult madness which is causing otherwise good people to make bad decisions. United we stand, divided we fall.

Our country needs all eligible voters to cast their votes this November to remove “cultists” from political positions. Please vote on November 8th and encourage those not registered to vote.

Go to Michigan.gov/VoterRegistration to register on-line by Oct. 24 or contact your city, county, or township clerk to register up to election day. Thank you!