"What do you mean Jethro?"  Well, as many of us know, the Washington Post's motto is "Democracy dies in darkness" a sentiment that is absolutely true even if mocked by simpletons.  But what does that mean?  Well, I believe that if Trump could. he would absolutely eliminate freedom of the press.  Now, I'm not in the least bit worried because he is too unpopular and personally unappealing to ever get any traction on something like that.  But let's marry his undying emnity for the press with a personality much more congenial.  Let's say Ronald Reagan, a personally very charming, congenial, man had this desire to punish the press for opposing him. I fear that a politician of his personal magnetism could possibly do that with the consent of the people.  In fact, with the hard core of Trump supporters, I don't think they would have any problem with eliminating the first amendment (particularly as it pertains to the press) but once again, they are a minority and are unlikely to be a majority ever and this not a legitimate threat.

Our democracy is only 241 years old and there is no guarantee that it will last forever.  We've already withstood one massive challenge to it, one that cost 6000,000 young men their lives.  So I appreciate Trump bringing some of these issues to the fore so that we can examine them and forestall them in case of a more popular leader (think Huey Long on a national level) down the road.  Or at least think about them and discuss them, preferably in taverns.  After all, it's the American Way.