What on Earth did Trump put in Republicans’ water to control and convince them to risk their careers, livelihoods and freedom like this? Sadly, the answer is possibly as simple as this - Trump refused to accept norms; he refused to accept unhelpful facts and embraced discarding democracy to retain power. It was contagious. Bad people found Trump’s disturbing rhetoric intoxicating. They liked that he indulged his ugliest impulses, and gave them license to do the same. He spewed venom at the people republicans don’t like. He catered to their egos and used their unquestioned fealty to hold onto power. It’s a sociological phenomenon that will keep historians busy for ages. How did this deeply flawed, repugnant demagogue, like so many dangerous dictators and cult leaders before him, convince so many people to behave so terribly, even self-destructively? What does Trumpism prove about our society?
Mostly, PAB did all that stuff *and got away with it*. Or at least he has so far. Hell, his cult is ready to put him back in power to do it again and harder this time. So of course there's a bunch of other people who were just waiting for someone to blaze the path so they could try the same thing.
Much the same way Caesar inaugurated a millennium of rebellions, attempted coups and other high level shenanigans emanating out of the provinces, where some local boss or other looked around at who had made it to the top and decided "why not me?" and marched on Rome. Until the barbarians decided it wasn't funny any more and set up their own warlord, no more puppets.
Scary. America feels like it’s at a crossroads. We either convict and disqualify Trump and end this era of coup-curious politics, or we keep opening new doors that Republicans will continue to defend. It’s incredible in America a sitting potus refused to accept the outcome of an election that wasn’t even close. Many bad actors fed Trump the belief that he could simply declare victory and everything would be fine. But just look at the fallout. Giuliani destroyed what was left of his life. Many others are under investigation for the fake electors scheme or made plea deals. How this POS can be on any ballot anywhere is astonishing.
A bit late for hoping both parties "support democracy". The Rs have made it explicitly clear that they don't. (See "Red Cesarism", Dominionism, The 2025 Project)
"Under Kern’s proposal, you might as well not have elections at all … although, we shouldn’t give him any ideas."
Why not just get rid of the stupid Electoral College system altogether and allow The People to elect The President thru the Popular Vote. He/She who gets the most votes wins!
All efforts to change the Electoral College or whomever control it, or to change who gets to decide who wins a state is just another opportunity to cheat.
Hey I'm all for that idea. But sadly we're a looong way from being in a place where we could get that across the finish line. Hell, we're still dealing with nominal citizens who think only white Christian males ought to be allowed to vote - can you imagine the din from the howler monkey brigade if this were attempted now? They'd be ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN it was the ultimate in election interference.
Listening to Rachel Maddow's show the other night and soundbites of republicans saying they'd rather have dictator Trump than democracy Biden, I think it's right to worry they'll vote their votes away.
Which is why we can't ever slack out on GOTV efforts. They are a very small, motivated minority that gets an undue amount of media attention because Democrats are boring.
Agree. With "boring" defined as "competent, focused on governance, not batshit." It's so frustrating. And no wonder people see government as disconnected from governing and just another spectator sport.
I prefer Winston Churchill’s comment that democracy is the worst form of government, except for all those others that have been tried from time-to-time.
There is that pesky term, “democratic republic,” that other nations use but which seems not to find an attachment in the US, perhaps because of its use by places like North Korea, etc. To me it’s a good description of the mixed system that we have, republican representation that over the years has become somewhat more democratic (freed slaves, women, voting age adjustments, etc.).
The present Republican claque seems to sway between desiring some sort of confederation of powerful states and weak central government and a dictatorship with little or no citizen participation similar to Stalin’s or Putin’s situation of oligarchy with a paste-over of democratic trappings. In other words, they’re fucking nuts.
BTW, Kern's proposal is implausible, but it's perfectly Constitutional. South Carolina did just that for decades. In fact, Stephen, you're betraying a mental error when you say, "Under Kern’s proposal, you might as well not have elections at all[.]" Of course they wouldn't have an election. Why bother, especially when they'd be running the risk that the voters might choose somebody other than the legislature's candidate?
What on Earth did Trump put in Republicans’ water to control and convince them to risk their careers, livelihoods and freedom like this? Sadly, the answer is possibly as simple as this - Trump refused to accept norms; he refused to accept unhelpful facts and embraced discarding democracy to retain power. It was contagious. Bad people found Trump’s disturbing rhetoric intoxicating. They liked that he indulged his ugliest impulses, and gave them license to do the same. He spewed venom at the people republicans don’t like. He catered to their egos and used their unquestioned fealty to hold onto power. It’s a sociological phenomenon that will keep historians busy for ages. How did this deeply flawed, repugnant demagogue, like so many dangerous dictators and cult leaders before him, convince so many people to behave so terribly, even self-destructively? What does Trumpism prove about our society?
Trump did not do anything but rip off the mask. They were always like this.
As to why they are sticking their neck out for him now, they want a dictatorship, he has the cult following, and they think they can control him
Mostly, PAB did all that stuff *and got away with it*. Or at least he has so far. Hell, his cult is ready to put him back in power to do it again and harder this time. So of course there's a bunch of other people who were just waiting for someone to blaze the path so they could try the same thing.
Much the same way Caesar inaugurated a millennium of rebellions, attempted coups and other high level shenanigans emanating out of the provinces, where some local boss or other looked around at who had made it to the top and decided "why not me?" and marched on Rome. Until the barbarians decided it wasn't funny any more and set up their own warlord, no more puppets.
Scary. America feels like it’s at a crossroads. We either convict and disqualify Trump and end this era of coup-curious politics, or we keep opening new doors that Republicans will continue to defend. It’s incredible in America a sitting potus refused to accept the outcome of an election that wasn’t even close. Many bad actors fed Trump the belief that he could simply declare victory and everything would be fine. But just look at the fallout. Giuliani destroyed what was left of his life. Many others are under investigation for the fake electors scheme or made plea deals. How this POS can be on any ballot anywhere is astonishing.
A bit late for hoping both parties "support democracy". The Rs have made it explicitly clear that they don't. (See "Red Cesarism", Dominionism, The 2025 Project)
Ta, Stephen. Good question: Why is he not in prison?
Screwing with the franchise might be proper motivation to get people to use it. I hope this backfires on them.
They want their fascism and they want it NOW!
"Under Kern’s proposal, you might as well not have elections at all … although, we shouldn’t give him any ideas."
Why not just get rid of the stupid Electoral College system altogether and allow The People to elect The President thru the Popular Vote. He/She who gets the most votes wins!
All efforts to change the Electoral College or whomever control it, or to change who gets to decide who wins a state is just another opportunity to cheat.
Hey I'm all for that idea. But sadly we're a looong way from being in a place where we could get that across the finish line. Hell, we're still dealing with nominal citizens who think only white Christian males ought to be allowed to vote - can you imagine the din from the howler monkey brigade if this were attempted now? They'd be ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN it was the ultimate in election interference.
Listening to Rachel Maddow's show the other night and soundbites of republicans saying they'd rather have dictator Trump than democracy Biden, I think it's right to worry they'll vote their votes away.
Which is why we can't ever slack out on GOTV efforts. They are a very small, motivated minority that gets an undue amount of media attention because Democrats are boring.
Agree. With "boring" defined as "competent, focused on governance, not batshit." It's so frustrating. And no wonder people see government as disconnected from governing and just another spectator sport.
Well, Oscar Wilde said, "Democracy is simply the bludgeoning of the people by the people for the people."
I enjoy Mencken: "Democracy is the idea that the people know what they want and deserve to get it good and hard."
I prefer Winston Churchill’s comment that democracy is the worst form of government, except for all those others that have been tried from time-to-time.
Also something along the lines of "one's faith in democracy cannot survive a five-minute conversation with the average voter."
I like that one, too. Oscar was probably peering into the future just to torpedo it, but all the same, it's a healthy dose of optimism.
See also "XVIIth Amendment, history of" for why this is a bad idea.
Is this part of the whole "we are a republic not a democracy" argument?
There is that pesky term, “democratic republic,” that other nations use but which seems not to find an attachment in the US, perhaps because of its use by places like North Korea, etc. To me it’s a good description of the mixed system that we have, republican representation that over the years has become somewhat more democratic (freed slaves, women, voting age adjustments, etc.).
The present Republican claque seems to sway between desiring some sort of confederation of powerful states and weak central government and a dictatorship with little or no citizen participation similar to Stalin’s or Putin’s situation of oligarchy with a paste-over of democratic trappings. In other words, they’re fucking nuts.
"I don't have a border collie; I have a dog!"
Next up from Kern: Legislation that lets accused criminals pick their own jury!
There'd have to be some sort of screening process, perhaps along the lines of skin tone.
*sigh*
I will miss these pieces
BTW, Kern's proposal is implausible, but it's perfectly Constitutional. South Carolina did just that for decades. In fact, Stephen, you're betraying a mental error when you say, "Under Kern’s proposal, you might as well not have elections at all[.]" Of course they wouldn't have an election. Why bother, especially when they'd be running the risk that the voters might choose somebody other than the legislature's candidate?
"Why is he not in jail yet?"
Obligatory "I ask myself that about Donald every day" gripe here...
/FFS
OT: Trump-appointed judge dismisses Disney suit alleging the dismantling of their special tax district was retaliatory.
lol.
Despite how DeSantis said with his mouth that it was retaliatory
Can they appeal? And if so, any chance that it would do any good?
Nice democracy you have there. Be a shame if anything happened to it.