Tucker contrasts Ukraine’s “democracy,” which is banning opposing political parties and news organizations, with what we should hold on to here in the United States. Highlights include:
“What exactly is democracy? Well, pluralism is the hallmark of it. In a democracy, citizens can have any opinion they want to have. They can express any opinion they want in public whenever they care to express it, including through mass media. If citizens are dissatisfied with their political leadership, they can challenge their leaders for office.”
“Now, all of these things are true in every free country in every period, always. These are not just features of democracy, these are prerequisites for democracy.”
“So, with that in mind, you should know about a political party in Ukraine called ‘Opposition Platform For Life.’ Over the weekend, the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, banned that party.”
“Having banned all opposition, he then seized control of the country’s media outlets. Zelenskyy signed a decree that combines all national television channels into a single platform that he controls. He described this as a ‘unified information policy,’ and it certainly is unified.”
“So, if all of these details seem shocking to you, if this is not the Zelenskyy you’ve heard about on the Today Show, then you may not have been paying attention to Ukraine. Zelenskyy has been solidifying complete control over Ukraine for a long time.”
“What we care about, what all Americans should care about, is what happens here in the United States. The United States is a beacon of hope and freedom to the rest of the world. How do we maintain that inspiring position? Not simply by sending people missiles, but by remaining free ourselves. The United States cannot be a beacon of freedom, of light in the world, if we are not free. So, that’s the first thing we do if we want to inspire and change the world, Ukraine included … is make sure that we stay free.”
“Why go the extra step to tell us that Ukraine is a model democracy when it’s not at all? Why are they doing that? Maybe because Ukraine has now has exactly the sort of ‘democracy’ they’d like to see here in the United States.”
“So, maybe you’re starting to conclude these people love Zelenskyy not because he represents the Ukrainian people, but because Zelenskyy is exactly the leader they would like to be, with wildly expanded war powers to make everyone who complained shut up at gunpoint.”
“So, murdering POWs is a war crime, so is castrating them, we’re not shocked by this. This happens in a lot of countries, Ukraine is not unique. Atrocities happen during war, every war, always, no matter what the neocons may tell you.”
“But this is a war that we are paying for. This is a war with moral implications. This is a war the White House is involved in at every level. So, when the Ukrainian government does something, we have an interest in knowing exactly what it is and what it means. But more than anything, we have an overriding interest and a moral obligation to keep the United States free.”
“So, when you see them admire someone who’s shutting down any opposition to him, you should pause.”
Watch the video below and tell us what you think in the comments.
