There is a difference between an autocratic Government and a totalitarian Government, sometimes that line is blurred, but knowing the proper definitions can help one differentiate between them. So, to help folks make that call, here are the definitions:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TotalitarianismIn almost every known case of these types of "governance", the justification presented is "for the good of the people". Isn't it amazing how often that rationale is used to justify completely selfish actions? A Government "of the people, by the people and for the people", should never be subjected to partisan censorship, ideological restrictions, or monetary blackmail, yet we've seen these types of action for decades if not centuries. The Federal Government, no matter it's partisan makeup, is responsible to ALL Americans, not just those of the ruling party or those that voted for the "winners", but we have let that slide over the years, until what we see now doesn't even pretend to acknowledge such a concept.
It matters not a wit by how large a margin someone wins whatever office he or she has, because the responsibilities are the same. One could win by a single vote - and STILL be responsible to those that didn't vote for them. A "representative Government" means exactly that, with the caveat that those representatives must represent ALL of their constituents, not just those of their own party or those that voted for them, yet we have accepted the opposite as the norm. We keep hearing the words "unconstitutional" and "Constitutional authority" and such, but no one considers the ENTIRE Constitution when spouting such things, nor do those hanging on every word. As in the case of the Bible, reading previous or following passages/paragraphs, often undermines the concept that is being "sold" to the public. It is the responsibility of every citizen to know what their Constitution says - and doesn't say - and insist that their representatives adhere to it.
Any American Government, regardless of who or what party holds what office in it, must be responsible to all citizens, again, regardless of what party they do or do not belong to. It is unconstitutional, on it's face, to try and mold the entire country along partisan or ideological lines, yet we accept this as normal and if we ourselves are partisans - demand it. What happens to the voices of those from the "losing" party, and more importantly, those that are members of NO party? Their voices are ignored, and/or attempts made to silence them, calling them "activist's" and such. The Government of the United States of America belongs to each and every citizen equally, from whom it derives it's power and authority, that is indeed what the Constitution says. That document does NOT say that the Government belongs to whatever party wins a majority in the Congress and/or the Presidency. The Constitution does NOT authorize whatever partisan platform or ideological principles of the "winner", to be enforced by Federal/State fiat - unless everyone agrees.
Cooperation and compromise are not optional political tools, they are a Constitutional MANDATE, therefor the law of the land. That is how a representative government ensures that they are representing ALL the citizens, including those that belong to neither major party. Neither democrats nor republicans even pay lip service to this mandate anymore, because we've gotten used to being ignored and TOLD what we will or will not believe, and what we will or will not do. Voting is a right - and - a responsibility. We vote for a person, we should not be voting for a party/ideology, or we are undermining our own Constitution and the rights it grants us.
We are rapidly approaching a totalitarian regime, the seeds of which were planted in 1864, when the republican party and the democratic party agreed to limit all political participation to their memberships alone. Don't believe me? That's fine, but if you look, even casually, you'll discover that such a thing is coming sooner than you think - it's here already.