Because of its naivety, I was not sure whether to laugh or cry reading Rich Lowry's editorial attacking Russia. Initially I thought that the editorial made better sense if Putin's name was replaced with Trump's. You would need to change the references to the physical poisoning of your enemies to mentally poisoning the minds of a large section of the population. When it comes to comparing CPAC's and Carlson's support for so-called Russian strength and Russia itself, surely we are looking at the same two political extremes: communism and fascism? Both systems use identical means to seize and keep power, i.e. control of the press, nationalism, a strong state and security police, control of the judiciary and enriching an oligarchy which becomes indebted to you. Putin learned this at KGB school.

Russians don't make anything or invent much. From Peter the Great to Stalin their history is one of despotism and tyranny and the suffering of its peoples, particularly minorities. Their country is vast. There are odd flashes of enlightenment, the rest has been playing catch up with the West. The same can be said of China. The Russian economy is the size of Italy's and is dependent on oil and gas. Attacking Ukraine, like China attacking the Uighurs and Hong Kong or Taiwan, are signs of weakness and fear not strength. Western democracy frightens them to death. The Chinese and Russian leadership know that failing to control the masses leads to revolution. Xi is moving in to make the new oligarchy dependent on the communist party. His prison camps are turning out model citizens. Russia worries about its food supplies. Ukraine was once Russia's breadbasket. Control of Crimea gives Russia access to the Black Sea, the Mediterranean and Africa. China worries about keeping control of its new 40 million home-owning middle class so is keeping careful watch over them with cameras and warning them that what is happening to the Uighurs can happen to them.

Democracy is difficult because its messy and confusing at times, but its works to the benefit of all its people because it gives each of us the freedom to develop our talents and the potential to be who we are. Democracy cannot flourish without a strong education system which teaches us to think, not obey. It depends on justice and fairness and the weighing of the different interests of each individual. Historically it is not the norm. It's an ideal, one which the American people have lived up to for over 200 years and always felt was worth fighting for. The fight against the forces of fascism and communism is the same fight against political extremes waged by us all day to day, month by month election by election.