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Saving American Democracy

With Republicans set to win back both chambers of Congress this fall (I hope I’m wrong but that’s what it looks like), we’re in grave danger of permanent Republican Party rule, similar to what they have in Russia.

Their plan is simple: with majorities in both houses of Congress, they can (and make no mistake, they will, Trump will demand it and they won’t dare defy him) refuse to certify any reasonably close adverse election results because of imaginary “voter fraud”. They’ll install Trump (or maybe DeSantis, it doesn’t really matter) as president, and from there they can pass draconian voter suppression laws and laws that let Republican state legislatures decide election results. Then they’ve got us by the balls, it will be practically impossible for a Democrat to win a significant election ever again.

So how can Democrats prevent this? Well if they can pull a rabbit out of the hat and hold onto the Senate this fall that will at least delay the Republican takeover a bit. Failing that, they have to win the presidency in 2024. But winning like Biden won in 2020 won’t be good enough next time if Republicans have majorities in Congress for the reason I outlined above. If Biden (or whom ever the Democrats nominate, I figure it’ll probably be Biden again even though I think I’d rather it be someone else) ekes out narrow victories in Georgia, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, the Republicans in Congress won’t certify the results in those states and it will be enough to give Trump the victory.

So the best bet I can see is for the Democrats to find the next Obama. They need to find a very broadly popular candidate that can win big enough that the outcome is no longer seriously in question when election night comes around. Georgia, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin need to be solidly blue, instead the “battleground” states probably need to be Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, Iowa, and Texas. That will give him a cushion so if he gets narrow wins in a few of those and they get overturned he’ll still have enough electoral votes to win.

I suppose Congress could still refuse to certify the results, but they’ll be facing a lot more pressure if they can’t even fool the swing voters into thinking maybe there was enough fraud to affect the outcome. Anyway, I figure that’s probably the best we can hope for.

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LadyJedi · 36-40, F

democrats policy...

SumKindaMunster · 51-55, M

[quote]we’re in grave danger of permanent Republican Party rule, similar to what they have in Russia.

Their plan is simple: with majorities in both houses of Congress, they can (and make no mistake, they will, Trump will demand it and they won’t dare defy him) refuse to certify any reasonably close adverse election results because of imaginary “voter fraud”. They’ll install Trump (or maybe DeSantis, it doesn’t really matter) as president, and from there they can pass draconian voter suppression laws and laws that let Republican state legislatures decide election results. Then they’ve got us by the balls, it will be practically impossible for a Democrat to win a significant election ever again.[/quote]

What a ridiculous, paranoid and completely impossible situation to fear. Where do you get stuff like this?

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SumKindaMunster · 51-55, M

@whowasthatmaskedman [quote]It must be boring to hear the sky is falling over and over.[/quote]

No, YOU are boring. Politics and America's place in it is quite interesting, talking to you is like watching paint dry.

[quote] If you dont like my comments, block me, or better yet, stop saying stupid things. Because I will call you on them[/quote]

I'd like to remind you, you pompous windbag, that [i]you[/i] were the one who took offense to my comments. That's your problem, and since it is your problem, perhaps you should block me.

If not, feel free to "call me out" all you want, it will be just more of your tedious blather, same as today, same as the last 5 years or so I've had to suffer your foolishness.

whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M

@SumKindaMunster I dont take offence to you. You arent that important to me. I base my statements on science, facts and logic. You base yours of feelings and what someone else told you who read it somewhere. Game over right there. Talk to the hand🤚.😷

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LordShadowfire · M

I tell you what...

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LordShadowfire · M

@Scribbles I don't care which side of the fight you're on, that's true. Less than 2/3 of this country voted in 2020. That's not okay. I'm sure there were Republicans who can't stand Trump, who just didn't vote out of despair. And then the people who vote third party who just didn't see the point because third parties never win. Those hundred million people could have made a real difference.

trollslayer · 46-50, M

@LordShadowfire I literally *just* read a commentary about this - 3rd party protest votes. I knew many who voted Ralph Nader in 2000 as a protest. I know many who have voted libertarian out of protest. If you live in a state/district that is not expected to be close, fine. I understand how much it sucks to vote "lesser of two evils". But the reality is those 101 million need to make a choice. I have some criteria that I use when I have a hard time deciding when voting. 1) In state or local races, the scale tips to those who grew up in my sate, went to school here, or have lived here a long time. 2) On ballot propositions that I can't decide on, I default to "no", or whatever choice does not make a change to laws. I am becoming less of an "issue" voter, and instead focus on candidate's ability to weigh arguments and make decisions. I turn away from hardliners. But by far the most important issue, and the only one I care about this time, is the ability for me to participate in deciding my government in the future. Most of the GOP candidates on my ballot favor having the ability to nullify my future votes. As a result, my ballot was all blue this year.

LordShadowfire · M

@trollslayer Oh, same here. Everybody in my household voted blue. I just hope it was enough.

ChipmunkErnie · 70-79, M

One of the scariest things going on is the attempt, in some states, to fill the offices of election supervisors with Trumpist election deniers who openly plan to deny voting rights and even overturn election results with their bogus conspiracy and election fraud theories.

allygator18 · 22-25, F

At least they will eliminate the national debt, free us from Mideast oil, and solve the healthcare crisis.

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whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M

@allygator18 I am afraid you are right about that.. That the ship is sinking fast is evident.. That no one is even trying to save it yet is tragic for all Americans and much of the world..😷

allygator18 · 22-25, F

@whowasthatmaskedman all people do is blame the other side

onewithshoes · 22-25, F

@allygator18 Returning the U.S. to energy self sufficiency is quite possible.😄
As to the debt and health care, those politicians haven't been born yet.🤨

Heartlander · 80-89, M

Trump never had the whole Republican party behind him. It's not the nature of Republicans to work as a government within a government. Thankfully. Not even Reagan had the whole party behind him.

Hopefully we can move forward with members of congress who can represent their voters and not their parties. And in an environment where the best ideas float to the top and where the common good is the common good for all the people.

Confined · 56-60, M

All democrats want us to be a communist country. Any one who votes for 20.00 gas and communism is sick on the head.

TheOneyouwerewarnedabout · 41-45, MVIP

Made my nipples hard ..
Go orange 🕺

TrashCat · M

America is on the verge of going full-blown fascism authoritarian

boudinMan · 61-69, M

@TrashCat we already have that with biden.

Graylight · 51-55, F

Idiotic statement that doesn’t even make sense. @boudinMan

BohemianBoo · M

[quote]So the best bet I can see is for the Democrats to find the next Obama. They need to find a very broadly popular candidate that can win big enough that the outcome is no longer seriously in question when election night comes around.[/quote]

It's so sad that this is true. So many people vote based on personality over policy.

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whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M

@BohemianBoo Pull in the reins a little. I wasnt talking about the politics. I am talking about the economics. The patronage the Chinese govt extends to powerful players and how they are rewarded, and how the message is fed to the people is not that far apart. Of course the messaging is vastly different.😷

BohemianBoo · M

@whowasthatmaskedman The economics is similar in that America and China are both capitalist, but China is way worse since it's also a dictatorship, which is what the Republicans want here. And while the economics are similar, living standards are always worse in countries like China.

whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M

@BohemianBoo Your point about living standards is well made. But that also means China had a billion plus people it can produce for domestically, who all aspire to a higher living standard. Like America of the late 40s through 60s. Not that China doesnt have big problems of course. But they are in a better position to work around them.😷

BlueVeins · 22-25

READ THIS -> https://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/moore-v-harper-2/

much bigger threat than trump's election denialism shit ever was

Budwick · 70-79, M

[quote]With Republicans set to win back both chambers of Congress this fall [/quote]

Think about it They - why would that be true?

My two cents - the dems have shown their agenda like never before and people, all people don't like it.
Democrats are damaged goods. They will be irrelevant for the next couple generations.

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Theyitis · 36-40, M

@SumKindaMunster [quote]what is the benefit to me to vote for the Democratic party?[/quote] I think that’s part of the problem with this country. Instead of asking ourselves what’s the right thing to do, for the greater good, it’s always “what’s in it for [i]me[/i]?”

Nevertheless, Democrats will work to enact an agenda to clean up your environment, giving you cleaner air to breathe and cleaner water to drink, which will help you live a longer and healthier life. We want to support your children’s teachers, whom we generally trust to know best what and how to teach your children. This will help your children grow up to be kind, productive members of their future communities. Likewise we want to support doctors, whom we generally trust to make decisions about your health. We intend to fix the country’s crumbling infrastructure and update it with the latest technology to help you be able to travel as quickly and safely as possible. We want to invest in local communities which will help create demand for products and services, and businesses will then recognize the need to create jobs to serve those demands. We will invest in mediators and mental health and vocational education so that your police will not have to feel the weight of the world on their shoulders. That’s the best I could do on my lunch break.

SumKindaMunster · 51-55, M

@Theyitis Thanks, I'm sorry you wasted a portion of your lunch break on something I could find on the DNC's website.

I'm sorry but I do vote for my own best interests as does everyone whether they tell you or not. I'm not delusional in believing that our politician actually serve the people's interest instead of their own and look to what overall will be better for me.

Budwick · 70-79, M

@Theyitis [quote]Democrats will work to enact an agenda to clean up your environment, giving you cleaner air to breathe and cleaner water to drink, which will help you live a longer and healthier life. We want to support your children’s teachers, whom we generally trust to know best what and how to teach your children. This will help your children grow up to be kind, productive members of their future communities. Likewise we want to support doctors, whom we generally trust to make decisions about your health. We intend to fix the country’s crumbling infrastructure and update it with the latest technology to help you be able to travel as quickly and safely as possible. We want to invest in local communities which will help create demand for products and services, and businesses will then recognize the need to create jobs to serve those demands. We will invest in mediators and mental health and vocational education so that your police will not have to feel the weight of the world on their shoulders. [/quote]

We already have the cleanest air and water on the planet.

You want to support the teachers? How about the kids? And clearly, you do NOT know what is best to teach our kids.

We do not generally trust the medical community anymore, thanks to all the deceit and corruption during the pandemic.

There's been a lot of 'intentions' to fix the infrastructure starting with Obama. We got a lot of money finding it's way back into democrat pockets and campaigns and an unfinished train to no where in California.

And, the handling of police under democrat watch has been appalling. Crime is soaring out of control.

You've give a good list of reasons why no democrat running for any office should be voted in.

Thanks.

trollslayer · 46-50, M

The real scary part for me is that many (if not most) "Republicans" (In quotes because the current party acts nothing like the party I grew up with) have no problem with what you said, and actually applaud it. THEY ARE OKAY WITH ONE PARTY RULE SO LONG AS IT IS THEM.

SumKindaMunster · 51-55, M

@trollslayer Wrong as always trollplayer. Are you ever going to drop the farce that you are a concerned citizen, and not a childish, provocative troll?

trollslayer · 46-50, M

@SumKindaMunster Have you read the comments here?

SumKindaMunster · 51-55, M

@trollslayer Of course I did, are you blind? I've responded several times now.

Do you read the comments? Seems like you spew invective and then wander off to the next shiny object that catches your eye.

SW-User

We've voted all those pieces of shit in, elected them, to make all this happen. Why do we blame the politicians? IT'S FUCKING US! We did it. We're to blame. We deserve every bit of the hell that is coming our way..

whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M

So assume you are correct. Its the what comes next thats important. America becomes more like Russia of course. No big deal really. A lot of BS about elections will calm down. American Industries will focus on Military support and weapons, and not export much of anything else.. American businesses will have to compete less and rely more on government favors and patronage. The standard of living will stagnate for all but the privileged few, who will be obscenely rich and form a ruling class.. And those who want a better life for their families will leave.. So America is not so different already..😷

FreestyleArt · 31-35, M

It's not a Democracy. It's a Constitutional Republic.

Theyitis · 36-40, M

@FreestyleArt Sure, it’s a constitutional republic, but it is also a democracy. There’s no such thing as a pure democracy, but our government is supposed to be about as democratic as you can get in practice.