Time to Choose

If we're to avoid a fascistic America, Democrats have to choose.

The letter E or the letter U?

Will we defend or defund the police?

Yesterday, my wife and I drove through a dicey part of Wilmington at dusk.

It was Friday and summery, the sweet twilight air the proverbial "balm for the soul." 

All the neighbors were out of their rowhouses, gathered on the stoops and street corners and in front of the packaged goods stores.

On one empty corner, we saw a lone uniformed cop in a centurion-like pose.

He was keeping the peace as best he could.

He didn't look happy.

I wouldn't have his job for the world.

But I'd readily fund his salary—and the salaries of hundreds of more young centurions.

Armed gangs this week have turned Wilmington into Dodge City.

Yesterday, the mayor met with residents to condemn the killing of a 14-year-old on Tuesday and seek advice for ending gun violence.

Twenty other people have been shot in the past 25 days. 

If three more are shot next week, a new city record will be set for most shootings in a month.

And it's only June.

The mayor wants Delaware to repeal the state's open-carry law and plans to pump $55 million unto new streetlights and surveillance cameras.

Why not more cops?

Shootings across the country have become more lethal and brash.

Shooters no longer care if they're seen by witnesses; snitches are nonexistent; community organizers have taken to crouching in the hallways; and handguns have become as common as sneakers.

Why would we defund the police—worsening the bloodbath while we pave the road for Trump.

Democrats have to choose. Now.

They have to take a chance on a letter.