There is good reason to worry about America. It is on the brink of what Benjamin Franklin cautioned against on Sept. 18, 1787, at the close of the Constitutional Convention.

As the era’s most famous American left what thereafter would be known as Independence Hall in Philadelphia, a woman called out: “Well Doctor, what have we got a republic or a monarchy?”

“A republic,” replied Franklin, adding, “If you can keep it.” Even Franklin – a brilliant man in so many endeavours – probably couldn’t fathom 239 years ago that America’s choice would ultimately fall between democracy and autocracy.

And yet, that is exactly where America finds itself. In just 155 days, the mid-term elections will be over. All 435 members of the House of Representatives and 35 of the 100-member Senate will be elected.

That night, Nov. 3…America will – at worst – teeter on the precipice. Regardless of the vote, Americans will remain closer to an autocracy that night…Donald J. Trump will remain president for another two years…perhaps. Whether Trump Republicans win or lose this November will, however, better determine the odds of the U.S. becoming a full-blown autocracy in 2028.

At this moment, I believe chances are good – at least fifty-fifty – that if Republicans control the House, Senate and White House…American democracy will fall…make that, leap…in favour of a dictatorship.

If so, historians won’t be kind to the ignorant poor Americans who worshipped billionaires like Trump…confusing greed and corruption with business acumen. Working-class folks who vote Republican have been stoking the fires of an elite dictatorship for nearly two decades.

Of course, Republicans might continue to call it a democracy…and they will gloriously speak of freedom and wrap themselves patriotically in the flag. But trust me…look how they are acting now…and imagine if they have unfettered control.

They already own the U.S. Supreme Court…filling it with judges that lack either the experience or integrity – sometimes both – to ensure the rule of law. Republicans bear-hug laws that restrict abortions – even in cases of rape or incest – and stiff arm any Second Amendment restrictions…despite the overwhelming majority support of Americans to access abortions and put in place sensible gun control laws that might reduce the 122 gun deaths a day to something in line with countries not at war.

Republicans are closer to a cult than a political party…they have no platform…their goal is single minded…win…at all costs. Republicans see themselves above the law…Trump wants to pay those 1,600+ Jan. 6 insurrectionists he pardoned…$1,776 Billion…restitution. Ancestors of those enslaved in America must be scratching their heads.

The truth is Trump’s years of lying….and surrounding himself with other incompetent liars…think Todd Blanche, Pete Hegseth, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr… the entire Trump family, and on and on…mean the majority of Republican voters are terribly mis-informed.

They embrace wild-ass conspiracy theories…like Hillary Clinton running a pedophile sex trafficking operation out of a pizza restaurant basement…that didn’t even have a basement. They blame the current economic malaise on Joe Biden…a president out of office more than a year and a half…rather than a president who started an unnecessary war that drove up gas and grocery prices by 40 percent.

Trump and MAGA Republicans make Richard Nixon and his crew seem like Saints…Watergate looks small against Trump’s too-many-to-name corrupt actions.

But forget what happens in front of our very eyes…documented for all to see. What are those who have been lied to by Republicans and its propaganda arm – Fox News – for years thinking…have the lies and disinformation had an effect? Oh, yes.

Republican fear-mongering thrives…they tell largely ignorant folks…”your life is going to get worse because of women, immigrants, people of colour, gay folks…they aren’t real Americans like you.”

Republican officials, of course, don’t even bother messaging women Republicans…because they know they will toe the line of their husbands…old white men or young white men who think old thoughts.

The MAGA crowd mostly believes Republicans are more fiscally responsible and the economy is better with Republican presidents…despite the facts that the only two presidents to balance the budget in the past 45 years – Clinton and Obama – are Democrats.

As a matter of fact, the economy historically has always done better with Democrats in the White House…all the way back to Herbert Hoover more than 100 years ago.

So, the misinformation and lies are working. Republicans are scaring the hell out of largely uneducated folks looking to blame someone other than themselves for any trouble in America.

Trump started a war…and because he’s well into dementia…he’s lost interest in that debacle and would rather focus on his gold ballroom and a triumphant arch…multi-billion-dollar ego projects.

Hang on…because previous elections will look almost inconsequential compared with what will happen this year and in 2028. Despite Trump’s 31 percent approval rating, there’s a chance that the Trump cult will win…given gerrymandering, voter suppression, Russian cyber intervention…and Republican fear mongering.

If so, even the most ignorant Americans will then see that freedom isn’t what a dictator tells you it is. Maybe…if Americans are watching the lesson in democracy waging in Ukraine…they will breathe life back into democracy.

Ben Franklin was right…or said another way…sometimes you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone.