What has Ukraine made obvious?

The daily carnage coming out of Ukraine provides old lessons too many people have forgotten.

The most important lesson is the precarious nature of democracy. Too often, self-absorbed autocrats have appealed to people frustrated with the messiness of democracy. But Vladimir Putin is showing the world the dangers involved when leaders have no one to answer to. Sadly, not enough people have learned from the likes of Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, or Joseph Stalin and the horrors they unleashed on Europe in the 1930s and 1940s. Throughout history, autocratic rulers have launched devastating wars designed to enhance their own power and wealth. As in Ukraine, it has always been the innocent civilians who pay the highest price for one person’s ambition.

The resistance of the Ukrainian people in the face of such a daunting and brutal assault is inspiring. Yet, many of us feel helpless to provide meaningful aid to people trapped in such dire circumstances.

  So what can we do? First, we need to recommit to preserving our own democracy at home. Our own democracy was under a violent attack on January 6th, 2021. Fortunately, the attack failed, but the frightening erosion of people’s confidence in free elections continues to threaten our democracy. All Americans need to support free and fair elections. Right now, Ukrainians are literally dying for the rights we have been taking for granted.

  Another important step is to support our President and Congress, who have brought together a strong and united response against Putin’s unprovoked aggression. They have done so by working with European allies, while navigating dangerous nuclear waters. Putin has spent years trying to divide the American people, and we should not allow recent spikes in gas prices to give him what he wants. Putin gambled that a divided America would turn a blind eye to his attempt to dominate a free and spirited people who only want to chart their own future. If the United States remains united in our opposition to Putin’s actions, Putin will ultimately fail, and a democratic people will prevail.

  Our country united in the 1940s against the autocratic threats to democracy, and the result was a more peaceful, prosperous, and stable world. Today, we need to maintain the same urgency of purpose. There is too much at stake to do otherwise.