Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump at APEC Summit in Danang, Vietnam November 11, 2017

In an interview with Financial Times Vladimir Putin says liberalism has ‘become obsolete’. The Russian leader made the statement before he left for the G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan.

He claimed that liberalism is in conflict with "the interests of the overwhelming majority of the population..."

According to BBC News, Premier Putin also stated that multiculturalism is "no longer tenable".

He criticized German Chancellor Angela Merkel for allowing an increasing number of refugees into that country, claiming:

“This liberal idea presupposes that nothing needs to be done. That migrants can kill, plunder and rape with impunity because their rights as migrants have to be protected."

This kind of false, bombastic and divisive rhetoric is one reason why Donald Trump considers Putin to be his authoritarian role model. Both men share a habit of making outrageous and insensitive remarks about immigrants which in some cases have incited racism and hate crimes by their supporters. They see themselves as fulfilling a Mussolini-style “strong man” role using blunt macho-ism to bully their opponents.

Putin also had some bigoted remarks about members of the LGBT community. His statements are obviously designed to marginalize and isolate people who do not practice traditional heterosexual behavior.

"They claim now that children can play five or six gender roles,” he said. “Let everyone be happy, we have no problem with that. But this must not be allowed to overshadow the culture, traditions and traditional family values of millions of people making up the core population."

The Russian Premier praised US President Donald Trump, describing him as a "talented person" who is able to relate to voters.

Your comment about Putin “meddling” in the US election is not a joke Mr. President!

European Union President Donald Tusk spoke out against Putin’s remarks. When addressing reporters he said:

"Whoever claims that liberal democracy is obsolete also claims that freedoms are obsolete, that the rule of law is obsolete and that human rights are obsolete."

Tusk added:

"What I find really obsolete are authoritarianism, personality cults, the rule of oligarchs, even if sometimes they may seem effective."

Donald Trump’s admiration for Vladimir Putin is a very bad sign for American democracy. A US President who openly displays reverence for dictators is anathema to the ideals of a Republic founded upon the principle that all people are created equal. His belief that some members of society should be discriminated against due to their race or religion has attracted the support of white supremacist groups like the Ku Klux Klan.

This kind of racist legacy cannot be tolerated in a nation which claims to be a leader of the free world. During the lead up to our next national election it is incumbent upon all of us to speak out against bigotry and hatred, and to remove those from office who promulgate this kind of regressive ideology. Demagogues who use the crass politics of division to win votes and suppress minorities must not be allowed to win at the polls.

It is time for us to take back our country from those unethical opportunists who have attempted to turn back the clocks to the bad old days of prejudice and segregation. It’s our duty to honor all those who have made enormous sacrifices over the last two centuries in the quest for freedom, equality and justice!

I am Executive Director of Democracy Watch News. Our mission is to cover pro-democracy movements around the globe. It is the obligation of all reporters, editors, publishers, etc. to promote and protect freedom the press and freedom of speech wherever it is being challenged or suppressed. We will continue to fight for democratic principles in the face of authoritarian trends.

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