Growing up in the shadow of the Cold War, I remember the joy we felt after Soviet Union satellite countries began throwing off Soviet rule and establishing democracies. Was that only thirty or so years ago?

Ukraine now braces for Vladimir Putin’s reawakened desire for a Russian empire as winter clamps down. Democratic governments worldwide have moved toward more autocratic rule. Xi Jinping has consolidated his rule in China, though lately his Covid lock down has caused problems.

Of course, we have no guarantee that changes in either Russia or China would bring in more humane regimes. Given the trends lately, some are understandably pessimistic.

Perhaps the greatest risk is to the country that has, since the mid twentieth century, been seen as the guarantor of democracy, the United States.

Trembles from the January 6th 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, as well as continuing threats from groups espousing armed insurrection, continue to worry us. That numerous courts have upheld Joe Biden as the legally elected president of the United States seems not to matter for some. If you lose, the present pattern seems to be, you simply ignore the facts and declare a fraudulent election.

One major reason the United States was victorious in the long Cold War against the Soviet Union was the staying power of U.S. democratic traditions. Despite our nation undergoing long needed changes to overcome racial sins of the past, the people hung together against outside enemies.

We overcame huge disagreements, yet were united in holding to and even increasing our democratic practices.

Now we spend too much time fighting simply to remain humane and to overcome insidious slurs. And almost daily, it seems, moral pygmies decide to use guns to hurt as many people as possible.

How can we overcome these harmful trends even as winter provides an even more challenging environment?

Courage, perhaps, to uphold those who attempt civil discussion about real problems. Common sense to ignore those who would waste valuable time on lies or meaningless accusations.