I was recently binge reading ancient Greek philosophy, Socrates, Plato and Aristotle (the great trio thinkers of classical Greece).

As I was immersed in the readings, I felt a sense of ethnic pride as a Greek and appreciated the depth of our major contributions to civilization. I envisioned a glorious Hellas, with its marble temples, amphitheaters and olive trees in the countryside, the cradle of democracy.

Centuries later, our great-grandparents, grandparents, and parents were welcomed to this democratic land, America. They worked hard and raised children who respected and revered the opportunities of this great country. Ellis Island is an iconic tribute to all immigrants and to our forefathers; and Greek Americans have been bestowed with the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

Now, we are doctors, lawyers, business owners and chief executives, bankers, tradesmen, craftsmen, chefs, publishers, journalists and writers, church leaders and archons, philanthropists, administrators, performing actors and singers, artists, engineers, scientists, professors, teachers and scholars, elected and appointed government officials, ambassadors, statesmen, dignitaries and celebrities. We are productive and caring Greek-Americans with reverence and respect for our democracy.

Today, however, I fear for our democracy.

I now worry that to some voters “might” can seem more seductive or glorious than “right.” When a presidential candidate openly declares his intention to do away with balanced government and says he will rule as a dictator on day one, I fear that the precious birth of democracy that Hellas gave us, which has carried through the centuries, a heritage we want to leave to our grandchildren and great-grandchildren, will be diluted if not lost.

We must, in the sake of human reason and righteousness, not be so arrogant, myopic or in denial to think that our democracy can be taken for granted. History is plagued with illustrative examples of bygone democracies – and it’s starting to happen here in America too, unless we stop it.

We have already experienced incited civil strife and the chiseling of our democratic pillars by Trump.

The deterioration of democracy creeps up on a nation, like the “frog in boiling water” metaphor.

People adapt to gradual threats and fail to recognize the danger until it’s too late.

The game plan to crumble Democracy was recently and shockingly echoed at Mar-a-Lago by Hungarian President Victor Orban of Hungary who used the levers of democracy to create his authoritarian rule there. Trump, this year, hosted the Hungarian autocrat at Mar-a-Lago as “an Honor” and lavishly praised him as “the boss,” a “supporter” and “fantastic.”

Trump has mirrored the autocrat’s modus operandi in his statements that mince no words. For instance, the first step is make those not as white as you “the other” and call them bad names. These sentiments, among others like trump’s use of the word “Gestapo” echo Hitler-type rhetoric.

Trump’s despotic true colors are shared with his cult audiences at Mar-a-Lago or at his golf-clubs where he hosts private fundraisers or holds war-room sessions. There have been insider leaks attesting to or verifying Trump’s statements, as reported in the mainstream media.

In the public forum, Trump has equally made disconcerting and frightening anti-democratic remarks about altering the balance of power in our branches of government and concentrating power in him as president. Trump has openly promised to seek retaliation against his political and legal enemies.

As Greek-Americans, it is incumbent upon us to vote to preserve and promote our proud Hellas legacy of democracy. This is not about being Republican, Democrat or Independent. This transcends policy and politics; it’s about doing the “right” thing – for our democracy, constitution and children.

I impress upon all citizens and particularly Greek-Americans across this country, to put aside personal, business or ideological preferences, and NOT vote for tyrannical Trump and vote for Harris and democracy – a declaration that us Greek-Americans cherish our heritage and the passing of the torch of democracy.

Michael Manoussos is the founding and managing member of Michael Manoussos & Co PLLC, a New York law firm.