I'm also very tired of the defeatism and pessimism coming from all the 'talking heads' who are screaming the sky is falling in.
I'm pretty sure we're not going to have another revolution, coup or takeover from the Republicans, no matter how hard they try because there are still decent people that are in the party (and yes, I do mean Liz Cheney and her Dad, even though he's evil incarnate) that care more about this country than the minority of Qanon Republicans who still think the election was stolen.
Because of articles like this, where it appears that some of Trump's own people are banding together to prevent him from running again.
That's what decent people do-they stop what they see is wrong from happening. It seems these people have woken up from their comas to realize that he is truly evil and they must stop it from happening again.
“This man is a master manipulator. He gets people to do his bidding. I was one of them. And I want people who believe in him now to talk to me. And I want to explain who he really is,” Grisham said. “So I’m really hoping for a good fight in 2022. I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and do what I can.”
So that might be a trend we should watch for. I wouldn't be surprised if George Conway was one of them, as well.
But those 147 Republican Representatives (who did not bother to attend the commemoration of the insurrection) should be removed from office, as some of those Republican senators who still stand by Trump.
They're all traitors and should be thrown in prison for their attempt to overthrow this country's election.
My Congressman Greg Steube, FL-17 not only is one of the 147 cited above, but one of the scumbags who wouldn't acknowledge the Capitol Police after 1/6.
My hackles have also been on the rise with all the "democracy is in danger" lamentations and calls to action, but maybe for slightly different reasons. What's happening is that privileged people -- relatively affluent, mostly male, mostly straight -- have just discovered that democracy is in danger. Women, gay and lesbian people, working people, and especially people of color have known this for decades, centuries even.
In some ways "privilege" means you don't have to worry what's going on with electoral politics because you'll do fine no matter who wins (not to mention "hey! the stock market's up!") -- unless "who wins" is as atrocious as tfg. These people couldn't imagine tfg until he actually showed up. If they'd, say, been a Black citizen of Alabama when George Wallace was governor, they might have known better.
If anyone wonders why so many people don't bother to vote, it's because for many of those people elections don't matter -- they're at best ignored no matter who wins.
Yeah, we've got a big problem at the moment, and I'm doing my bit, but at the back of my mind I'm wondering if, when we get through this (as I believe we will), will the privileged types who are currently sending out panicky alarms about endangered democracy just go back to business as usual (and of course keeping their eyes on their stock portfolios)?
I agree, Lucius. Righteous indignation won't defend democracy. Time to remove my white gloves and yank on the red boxing pair. Although, living in KY, I may carry a velvet hammer for backup.
I remember the 2000 election scam! I lived in Austin and worked downtown and after that election, I would drive to work past the Governor's Mansion (i.e., Dubya's place) and shout, "The fix is in!" and give the place the bird and feel a tiny, tiny bit better. Not that this changed anything.
In my teen years,a very long time ago,I remember reading a novel called,if my feeble and aged mind serves me right,"It can't happen here." It was set in the England of the late 50's,thankfully it never came to pass.I hope and pray,and deep I my heart,I know it WILL never come to pass in the land of my beloved neighbours to the south.God bless America.
Cass Sunstein wrote “It Can Happen Here” a few years ago. The American Authoritarianism to which he referred is the playbook of most R politicians: federal, state and local.
The Cass Sunstein book is "Can it happen here?" published in 2018. I think Andrew Mclean is referring to the Sinclair Lewis novel "It can't happen here" published in 1935. Both are worth reading.
In 1952 Republicans had Senator Joseph McCarthy as their attack dog and he did bite hard. They won the House, Senate and the presidency with Gen Eisenhower. In 1953 they tried to repeal much of the New Deal and President Eisenhower said "No" to that. In 1954 McCarthy was censured and left the senate and Democrats asked, "Had enough?" The Republicans lost the House of Representatives for the next 40 years! They lost the Senate in 1956 and did not get it back until 1981 and lost it again in 1986. They might win the congress and senate in 2022 and in 2023 scare everyone as they impeach Biden three times and abolish everything they can. In 2024 decent Americans may well decide that such extremism is 'too much' and give everything back to the Democrats. Trump might join William Jennings Bryan as a three time loser.
I was just thinking that Trump’s speech at the ellipse was so much like Frederick March’s courtroom breakdown in Inherit the Wind. Did people vote against their own interests in the 50’s the way they do now? Probably.
The Democrats now need to offer up a valid alternative and reason for alienated voters to abandon their wishful thinking delusions that the GOP has been sustaining for so long. Who is stepping forward with that? (Op ed -- It's not going to be Kamala Harris.)
I always enjoy your articles. Insightful, articulate, and useful. However, this one seems to be little more than one long continuum fallacy. There is no clear boundary between a robust democracy and a fragile one and while there can be some amount of self-fulfilling prophesy in attempting to publicly determine if we are in fact in a more fragile time, there's also comparable risk in following the example of the dog in that meme sitting in a diner that's on fire and asserting that "everything is fine." You seem to be leaning a bit too far in that direction.
I regularly wrestle with the prospect of our democracy being terminated by the goons and nincompoops who worship at the authoritarian alter of DJT. What sometimes gets me successfully through the day is remembering that while they may regain the levers of power the numbers prevent them from achieving absolute, eternal power. There are simply too few of them to make victory permanent.
Yes. What is your point? Are you suggesting I dwell on global catastrophes night and day? What does that accomplish other than ensure my every living minute is spent in utter misery?
That may be, but the substance of a nation is not defined by number of governmental seats a political party holds. It is determined by the number of people over which they attempt to exert control.
Trumpism has infected everything. A local moron wore a Let's Go Brandon t-shirt to an AA meeting recently. It was a Zoom mtg, so he scurried off like a cockroach running to safety when a light turned on after 2 of us called him out.
There is no may about it. Democracy is threatened and we are seeing these efforts play out at State and local levels. School Board takeovers, threats to public health leaders. AZ and WI state legislatures ordering up bogus audits. Perhaps it won't happen in NY or CA, but it won't matter if Congress is controlled by crazies and our Supreme Court looks the other way.
1. Our School Board refused to extend "no mask" order after 12-31-21. We all protested to no avail. 4 days after school resumes, all schools close indefinately due to so many staff and subs out because positive for COVID.
2. A couple local prominent Republican (in this red county) officials, running for office, identified themselves as "Moderate Republicans." Code for "Not Trumper?"
3. Front page article in our conservative newspaper yesterday actually called January 6th riots an "insurrection."
4. NOT locally but in Chicago when schools were not closed this week because of COVID, union teachers all called in sick (is that a red or blue flu?).
"What may be new is its totality and how absolute is the hold Trump has on Republicans right down to local party leaders and office holders."
I am seeing this in my blue state of Connecticut with who I consider moderates changing there tone if only slightly for now. It's very insidious. There are definitely staunch Trumpers here but are the minority. The new CTGOP chair ran Trump's campaign here in CT.
I've been keeping a very close eye on the politics here especially with the Governor and legislature race this year. What use to be considered safe blue states need to wake up and not be so complacent in thinking that way. And definitely not in the era of Trumpism!
Thank you for a clear headed look back and a practical look forward. I like your optimism and determination.
"You wrote: I’m sick and tired of this defeatism, and I’m swearing it off. Democrats are playing right into the hands of the party that wants to replace them in the House, Senate, and White House. That our democratic institutions are fragile is exactly what the Republican Party wants you to think. It’s the kind of handwringing and pearl-clutching snowflake crap Republicans are always accusing the Democrats of, and it’s got to stop."
I'm also very tired of the defeatism and pessimism coming from all the 'talking heads' who are screaming the sky is falling in.
I'm pretty sure we're not going to have another revolution, coup or takeover from the Republicans, no matter how hard they try because there are still decent people that are in the party (and yes, I do mean Liz Cheney and her Dad, even though he's evil incarnate) that care more about this country than the minority of Qanon Republicans who still think the election was stolen.
Because of articles like this, where it appears that some of Trump's own people are banding together to prevent him from running again.
https://www.politico.com/news/2022/01/06/former-administration-officials-block-trump-526623
That's what decent people do-they stop what they see is wrong from happening. It seems these people have woken up from their comas to realize that he is truly evil and they must stop it from happening again.
“This man is a master manipulator. He gets people to do his bidding. I was one of them. And I want people who believe in him now to talk to me. And I want to explain who he really is,” Grisham said. “So I’m really hoping for a good fight in 2022. I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and do what I can.”
So that might be a trend we should watch for. I wouldn't be surprised if George Conway was one of them, as well.
But those 147 Republican Representatives (who did not bother to attend the commemoration of the insurrection) should be removed from office, as some of those Republican senators who still stand by Trump.
They're all traitors and should be thrown in prison for their attempt to overthrow this country's election.
My Congressman Greg Steube, FL-17 not only is one of the 147 cited above, but one of the scumbags who wouldn't acknowledge the Capitol Police after 1/6.
DITO, my embarassment is Scott Perry, PA-10.
Losers everywhere!
😠
My hackles have also been on the rise with all the "democracy is in danger" lamentations and calls to action, but maybe for slightly different reasons. What's happening is that privileged people -- relatively affluent, mostly male, mostly straight -- have just discovered that democracy is in danger. Women, gay and lesbian people, working people, and especially people of color have known this for decades, centuries even.
In some ways "privilege" means you don't have to worry what's going on with electoral politics because you'll do fine no matter who wins (not to mention "hey! the stock market's up!") -- unless "who wins" is as atrocious as tfg. These people couldn't imagine tfg until he actually showed up. If they'd, say, been a Black citizen of Alabama when George Wallace was governor, they might have known better.
If anyone wonders why so many people don't bother to vote, it's because for many of those people elections don't matter -- they're at best ignored no matter who wins.
Yeah, we've got a big problem at the moment, and I'm doing my bit, but at the back of my mind I'm wondering if, when we get through this (as I believe we will), will the privileged types who are currently sending out panicky alarms about endangered democracy just go back to business as usual (and of course keeping their eyes on their stock portfolios)?
I have been informed that President Biden and Stephen Colbert now refer to TFG as TDFG: DEFEATED!!
I agree, Lucius. Righteous indignation won't defend democracy. Time to remove my white gloves and yank on the red boxing pair. Although, living in KY, I may carry a velvet hammer for backup.
I remember the 2000 election scam! I lived in Austin and worked downtown and after that election, I would drive to work past the Governor's Mansion (i.e., Dubya's place) and shout, "The fix is in!" and give the place the bird and feel a tiny, tiny bit better. Not that this changed anything.
you're reminding me of me.
I wish I believed as you do. My take? We are broken and being sold for parts. However, I am rooting for your belief.
Thanks for your rousing pep talk. We needed that!
In my teen years,a very long time ago,I remember reading a novel called,if my feeble and aged mind serves me right,"It can't happen here." It was set in the England of the late 50's,thankfully it never came to pass.I hope and pray,and deep I my heart,I know it WILL never come to pass in the land of my beloved neighbours to the south.God bless America.
Cass Sunstein wrote “It Can Happen Here” a few years ago. The American Authoritarianism to which he referred is the playbook of most R politicians: federal, state and local.
My apologies to all.The novel in question was "This is England ",published in 1967. I really am getting old!
The Cass Sunstein book is "Can it happen here?" published in 2018. I think Andrew Mclean is referring to the Sinclair Lewis novel "It can't happen here" published in 1935. Both are worth reading.
In 1952 Republicans had Senator Joseph McCarthy as their attack dog and he did bite hard. They won the House, Senate and the presidency with Gen Eisenhower. In 1953 they tried to repeal much of the New Deal and President Eisenhower said "No" to that. In 1954 McCarthy was censured and left the senate and Democrats asked, "Had enough?" The Republicans lost the House of Representatives for the next 40 years! They lost the Senate in 1956 and did not get it back until 1981 and lost it again in 1986. They might win the congress and senate in 2022 and in 2023 scare everyone as they impeach Biden three times and abolish everything they can. In 2024 decent Americans may well decide that such extremism is 'too much' and give everything back to the Democrats. Trump might join William Jennings Bryan as a three time loser.
well, yeah. but Bryan was never inaugurated.
I was just thinking that Trump’s speech at the ellipse was so much like Frederick March’s courtroom breakdown in Inherit the Wind. Did people vote against their own interests in the 50’s the way they do now? Probably.
The Democrats now need to offer up a valid alternative and reason for alienated voters to abandon their wishful thinking delusions that the GOP has been sustaining for so long. Who is stepping forward with that? (Op ed -- It's not going to be Kamala Harris.)
Most likely California Governor Gavin Newsome with female VP, still unknown.
I always enjoy your articles. Insightful, articulate, and useful. However, this one seems to be little more than one long continuum fallacy. There is no clear boundary between a robust democracy and a fragile one and while there can be some amount of self-fulfilling prophesy in attempting to publicly determine if we are in fact in a more fragile time, there's also comparable risk in following the example of the dog in that meme sitting in a diner that's on fire and asserting that "everything is fine." You seem to be leaning a bit too far in that direction.
I regularly wrestle with the prospect of our democracy being terminated by the goons and nincompoops who worship at the authoritarian alter of DJT. What sometimes gets me successfully through the day is remembering that while they may regain the levers of power the numbers prevent them from achieving absolute, eternal power. There are simply too few of them to make victory permanent.
But generations of lives will still be blighted, and what cost to people outside the US when the US goes fascist and ballistic?
Yes. What is your point? Are you suggesting I dwell on global catastrophes night and day? What does that accomplish other than ensure my every living minute is spent in utter misery?
That may be, but the substance of a nation is not defined by number of governmental seats a political party holds. It is determined by the number of people over which they attempt to exert control.
We truly have to keep working: speaking truth to power. You do it so eloquently. Many thanks for giving the rest of us “talking points!”
Trumpism has infected everything. A local moron wore a Let's Go Brandon t-shirt to an AA meeting recently. It was a Zoom mtg, so he scurried off like a cockroach running to safety when a light turned on after 2 of us called him out.
There is no may about it. Democracy is threatened and we are seeing these efforts play out at State and local levels. School Board takeovers, threats to public health leaders. AZ and WI state legislatures ordering up bogus audits. Perhaps it won't happen in NY or CA, but it won't matter if Congress is controlled by crazies and our Supreme Court looks the other way.
Some local signs:
1. Our School Board refused to extend "no mask" order after 12-31-21. We all protested to no avail. 4 days after school resumes, all schools close indefinately due to so many staff and subs out because positive for COVID.
2. A couple local prominent Republican (in this red county) officials, running for office, identified themselves as "Moderate Republicans." Code for "Not Trumper?"
3. Front page article in our conservative newspaper yesterday actually called January 6th riots an "insurrection."
4. NOT locally but in Chicago when schools were not closed this week because of COVID, union teachers all called in sick (is that a red or blue flu?).
Watch my film Kill Chain: The Cyber War on America’s Elections. Things have changed.
"What may be new is its totality and how absolute is the hold Trump has on Republicans right down to local party leaders and office holders."
I am seeing this in my blue state of Connecticut with who I consider moderates changing there tone if only slightly for now. It's very insidious. There are definitely staunch Trumpers here but are the minority. The new CTGOP chair ran Trump's campaign here in CT.
I've been keeping a very close eye on the politics here especially with the Governor and legislature race this year. What use to be considered safe blue states need to wake up and not be so complacent in thinking that way. And definitely not in the era of Trumpism!
Thank you for a clear headed look back and a practical look forward. I like your optimism and determination.
"You wrote: I’m sick and tired of this defeatism, and I’m swearing it off. Democrats are playing right into the hands of the party that wants to replace them in the House, Senate, and White House. That our democratic institutions are fragile is exactly what the Republican Party wants you to think. It’s the kind of handwringing and pearl-clutching snowflake crap Republicans are always accusing the Democrats of, and it’s got to stop."