Oneguy said, “Let’s see, we have a free press, several active political parties that are campaigning against the current “dictator”, 3 distinct branches of government and a constitution that establishes limits on the “dictator’s” office.”
TimB replies, You have not been paying attention. Don John our DOTUS, has control of a large part of the “free press”. He uses his office as a perch from which to call what remains of the press “fake news” and “enemies of the people”. He limits access often times to news agencies that he doesn’t like. His Sec of State recently cursed out an NPR reporter for asking a legitimate question, then proceeded to try to insult and demean her. But even the part of the media that Don John despises covers him constantly. The free press has been one of Don John’s targets and he has been able to spread absolute lies that are believed by a large portion of our fellow Americans. Don John has taken over much of the press, and is diligently continuing to attack the rest of it. (He will continue.)
Yes we do have an election process going on. This is a final vestige of hope that Don John’s dictatorship can be ended. It is a forlorn hope because, Don John now has the power to break any laws to achieve what he wants for himself. I don’t know how we can have a free and fair election, if Don John uses his newly blessed by the Senate power of abusing the powers of his office anyhow he wishes. (Maybe it is possible. Maybe whatever he tries to do to rig the election can be undermined. It is a last hope.)
As far as the supposed checks and balances of 3 branches of govt., Don John has built the power of the executive branch immensely. He has neutered the Congress’s constitutional power of executive oversight. He owns the Senate and colludes with the Senate Majority leader. He has been appointing his own lackeys as District Court Justices, at an unprecedented rate. He has appointed another hard right SCOTUS Justice and is set to further influence the Supreme Court with any future appointment opportunity.
Don John cares nothing about the Constitution. He only cares about how it can help him get his way, and otherwise, how he can ignore it. He broke his oath to the Constitution, the moment he was sworn in.
So what is a dictator? I suggest that it is anyone who is in the top executive position in his nation’s government, who has dictatorial powers and uses them.
So, in Don John’s case, what are his dictatorial powers? He is ABOVE THE LAW (including the Supreme Law of the land, the Constitution). IOW, he can defy, contradict, ignore, lie about, piss on, etc., ANY law that he wishes, without suffering any negative consequences.
Don John has shown his propensity for using power in an autocratic fashion. His admiration for world dictators has also been displayed consistently.