As many of us try to understand the reluctance of the Republican Congress to rein in the autocratic presidency of Donald Trump, it is valuable to remember that there has always been a portion of the population that prefers authoritarianism.

After the patriots won the American Revolution, there were tens of thousands of citizens who fled to England and Canada rather than be a member of a democracy. And while the support that swept Trump into office may be waning , there will always people who will say he is just what America needs.

Robert McLaurin , Portland

To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion .

See Full Page