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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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.

Theyitis · 36-40, M

@Budwick Why would that be true? Because most voters’ thought process goes like this: gas prices are high, economy is tough, punish the party in power.

The truth is it’s not that simple. Don’t have time now to go into detail, but it’s not that simple.

Budwick · 70-79, M

@Theyitis [quote]Don’t have time now to go into detail, but it’s not that simple.[/quote]

Yeah, it kinda is.

Oh, and let's not forget shortages, energy independence, open border, tens of thousands fentanyl deaths, indoctrination of school children, bringing the world to the brink of nuclear war,... shall I go on?

Theyitis · 36-40, M

@Budwick Not all the voters see it that way. I could go on and on about Republicans destroying our atmosphere and environment, xenophobia, censorship of history, support for brutal dictators around the world, and taking away women’s rights to control their own bodies among other things. There are at least as many potential voters who share my concerns as there are that share yours.

The difference this time is primarily the economy and gas prices, and swing voters are mostly the type who don’t see the big picture. The president has no control over gas prices, and I would also admit that if Trump were president and gas prices were this high. Inflation is happening all over the world, not just in the USA, and all the talk about inflation has given CEO’s cover to raise their prices higher than what circumstances necessitate, corporate profit margins are soaring just now.

Of course, “it’s not our fault” is a piss poor campaign slogan, and I don’t imagine I’m going to convince you of any of this, but I typed this response so you would understand that I have reasons to believe that the current political mood is neither justified nor permanent.

SumKindaMunster · 51-55, M

@Theyitis So as a white, middle aged, right of middle male, what is the benefit to me to vote for the Democratic party?

I live in Pennsylvania by the way and will be voting in the mid terms.

Budwick · 70-79, M

@Theyitis [quote]Of course, “it’s not our fault” is a piss poor campaign slogan[/quote]

That's true! And with the democrat record the last couple years lame ass excuses is all they have.

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.