Is it really Democracy Trump is threatening or is it civil society?

To ensure that our democracy survives and that violence is not regarded as an alternative to victory at the ballot box, Trump’s conduct must have consequences. Refusing to prosecute Trump and his inner circle would only encourage irreverence to democracy. What a monumental failure of leadership that would be.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/06/22/jan-6-merrick-garland-prosecution-donald-trump/

I get the appeal of trying to paint Trumpism as fascism or Autocracy, etc, but really, once you start encouraging citizens to attack other citizens, even if they are public servants, it seems like you're going way past democracy.

Even Monarchies and chieftainships had laws and mechanisms for state sponsored dispute resolution to keep people from killing each other.

I'm thinking some pre-historic hunt leader, probably told hot blooded warrior/hunters first told folks to not kill each other and submit to some sort of third party judgment, if only to make sure there were enough hunters left to feed the tribe.

Vigilantism and lawlessness isn't just undemocratic. It's uncivilized, imo.

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room101 · 51-55, M

Since trump announced that he was running for President, I've been wary of painting him as the evil mastermind who wants to tear down democracy etc etc etc. For sure, he represents everything that I find most abhorrent in the human condition (as do his his supporters) but, one of those abhorrent characteristics is wanton stupidity. He simply does not have the intelligence, focus or determination to pull any of this off.

He's a callous, unprincipled yob whose narcissism when coupled with his abject stupidity makes him believe all of his bullshit.

No, what's happening in America is not some evil plot devised by trump so that he can stay in power. It's the culmination of 250 years of Americans believing one myth after another whilst revelling in the destruction of those around them "so long as I've got mine Jack".

MistyCee

@room101

No, what's happening in America is not some evil plot devised by trump so that he can stay in power. It's the culmination of 250 years of Americans believing one myth after another whilst revelling in the destruction of those around them "so long as I've got mine Jack".

What exactly are you indicting America for, here?

The exceptionalist crap gets old, and it sure seems naive to believe that a bunch of 18th century yahoos could devise a perfect system of government, but Trumpism is, at heart, much older than Democracy or even Monarchy.

It's Cain vs Abel stuff. I didn't get mine, so I'll get it by killing.

RedBaron · M

@room101 Has he announced that he is running? I hadn't heard.

room101 · 51-55, M

@RedBaron 🤦‍♂️ I'm talking about 2015/16! I figured that would be obvious to even the dumbest amongst you lot

room101 · 51-55, M

@MistyCee Yes it is extremely naive to believe that a bunch of 18th century yahoos could devise anything that would stand the test of time. And yet, Americans consider their Constitution and Bill of Rights to be on a par with the Ten Commandments!

THAT's what I'm "indicting" America for. Those documents are great as aspirations BUT, societies change and evolve and adhering to 250 year old documents stunts any hope of change and evolution. Then there's the rather thorny issue that, even as your Bill of Rights was being written, it was accepted that it would only apply to a significant minority of your population. Women didn't have those rights, indigenous people didn't have those rights and blacks certainly didn't have any of those rights.

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room101 · 51-55, M

@RedBaron As you have already surmised, trump has not yet announced that he is running in 2024. Ergo, the only logical alternative is that I was referring to the past.

You seem to be very prone to being mistaken.............about a lot.