rud.is

Just in case anyone thinks things are just “going to be OK” in the U.S.:

• 21 million Americans believe the Biden presidency is illegitimate and that force is justified to restore Trump to power.
• 15 million come from non-rural areas of America and believe in the “Great Replacement”.
• 10 million are QAnon-believers or QAnon-adjacent and believe the End Times are imminent.
• 8 million own firearms.
• 6 million support the Oath Keepers/Proud Boys.
• 4 million have prior military service.
• 2 million are active protestors.
• 1 million are either in a militia or know someone who is.

This isn’t “over” by a long shot, and none of us have the luxury of hanging around on the sidelines smoking hopium. We have one, major political party actively fueling this fire, and they will stop at nothing to regain power.

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Three years ago, on January 6, 2021, the U.S. Capitol was stormed by a mob intent on overturning the results of the 2020 Presidential Election. This event — the January 6th insurrection — was a direct attack on the democratic process and the peaceful transition of power, a cornerstone of American democracy. As we mark the third anniversary of this event, we must take time to reflect on its implications, especially in the context of the upcoming Presidential Election.

The Role of Trump and the MAGA Movement

The insurrection was not a spontaneous event. It was the culmination of a series of actions and rhetoric from then-President Donald Trump and his supporters, particularly those aligned with the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement. Trump’s promotion of false and debunked theories of election fraud and efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election played a significant role in inciting the insurrection.

The House Jan. 6 committee’s final report asserts that Trump criminally engaged in a “multi-part conspiracy” to overturn the lawful results of the 2020 election. Despite these charges, Trump has continued to lie about the 2020 election and has built a commanding lead in the Republican primary. His influence within the GOP remains strong, with many of his rivals refraining from criticizing him about Jan. 6.

The Real And Present Threat to Democracy

The insurrection was a stark reminder of the fragility of our democracy. It demonstrated how misinformation, partisan division, and the refusal to accept legitimate election results could lead to violence and chaos. The insurrectionists’ actions were a direct assault on the democratic process, aiming to overturn a free and fair election.

The insurrection has also had a lasting impact on the political landscape. It has hardened views along partisan lines and has been used as a political rallying cry by both Democrats and Republicans. The MAGA movement, despite its association with the insurrection, continues to be a significant force within the Republican Party.

Given the GOP’s enthusiastic support for Trump and the MAGA movement, defeating them in the upcoming election is preeminent for the preservation of liberal democracy in the U.S. The MAGA movement’s influence poses a dual threat: a potential landslide in the 2024 election and the potential for another violent coup attempt if the election results are not in their favor.

The oath-breaking support of MAGA/Trump by elected members of the GOP is not just about political alignment. It’s about endorsing a narrative that undermines the democratic process. They are actively working to end democracy in America. All of them, even those that support Trump’s challengers — since all but one challenger refuses to denounce MAGA and would support a second Trump term — are determined to hold on to or further seize power, and have dark designs on America’s future.

Looking Forward

On this day, we must remember the event’s significance and its implications for our future. The insurrection was not just an isolated event; it was a symptom of more profound issues within the American political system, particularly the spread of misinformation, the increasing partisan divide, and the erosion of democratic norms.

The upcoming Presidential Election will be a vital test for American democracy. It will determine whether the U.S. can move past the shadow of the hate, fear, and violence and reaffirm its commitment to democratic values. The defeat of the GOP and the MAGA movement will be a crucial step in this process, signaling a rejection of the insurrection and the attack on democracy it represents. It is, quite literally, the only thing that matters when American head to the polls on November 5, 2024.

In the end, the best way to honor this third anniversary of the January 6th insurrection is by reaffirming our commitment to democracy and the peaceful transition of power. It’s by remembering that democracy is not just about voting; it’s about respecting the results of free and fair elections, even when we don’t agree with them. And most importantly, it’s about standing up against those who would undermine these principles for their own political gain.

The 2024 U.S. Presidential election isn’t just another tick on the political timeline. It’s a crucial juncture for — quite literally — the future of American democracy. We’re not just deciding who gets to sit in the Oval Office for the next four years. We’re determining the trajectory of our nation, the resilience of our democratic institutions, and the preservation of democratic norms.

Our democracy has been put through the wringer in recent years. Remember 2020? (It may still be 2020 from your vantage point.) We had a sitting president trying to overturn the election results, and his supporters stormed the Capitol, causing scores of injuries and deaths. Now, we’re looking at the possibility of a rematch between President Biden and former President Trump in 2024. Even if Trump manages to not be the GOP nominee, those chasing his tail aren’t any better. This isn’t just about domestic policy, or “R” vs. “D”; the domestic and global impacts are significant.

Now, the lazy media loves a good horse race. They’re all about the odds, the polls, the back-and-forth between candidates. But that’s not what this election is about. It’s not just about who’s leading the polls or who’s predicted to win. It’s 100% about the future of our democracy, the resilience of our institutions, and the direction our country takes for the next 20-40 years.

The 2024 election will have far-reaching implications for a range of policy areas…from the future of abortion, and other critical rights, the U.S.’s role in global conflicts, and domestic issues like voting rights. The balance of power in Congress could also shift, with many key races flying under the radar.

So, while the horse race might be exciting, let’s not lose sight of what’s really at stake here. The 2024 election is about the future of American democracy. It’s about whether our democratic norms will survive and how we’ll navigate a range of critical policy issues. Let’s focus on these stakes, not just the day-to-day fluctuations of the campaign.

Hey folks,

This is likely our last shot at preserving liberal democracy in the U.S., or at least avoiding 20–40 years of abject horribleness by wannabe bigoted and sociopathic demigods.

The year 2024 is also set to be a significant year for global politics, with a large number of critical elections taking place around the world. Nearly half of the global population will go to the polls this year, with at least 40 countries electing leaders. This includes countries such as Taiwan, Britain, India, and Iran.

Along with the POTUS showdown, the U.S. general election will also include one-third of the seats in the Senate and all the seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

In India, still the world’s most populous democratic country, elections will be held in April, where ~600 million eligible voters will determine whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be elected for a third term.

Iran will hold elections on March 1, 2024, to elect a new parliament.

In Europe, the European Parliament election, the second-largest vote by population in 2024, will take place.

Other countries with significant elections include Taiwan, Pakistan, and Mexico.

These elections are critical as they will shape global politics and have a profound impact on international geopolitics for years to come. They will also highlight the global health of democracy and either alter or reinforce the current course of economic, political, and geopolitical policies.

State Of The Union

The Movement Advancement Project (MAP) has some great maps that show the peril we’re in, here in the U.S. This one shows “Democracy Ratings By State”:

• High Overall Policy Tally (4 states)
• Medium Overall Policy Tally (16 states + D.C.)
• Fair Overall Policy Tally (19 states)
• Low Overall Policy Tally (11 states)
• Negative Overall Policy Tally (0 states)

This is a pretty comprehensive resource that tracks and analyzes over 40 aspects of state election and voting laws across the United States, including the District of Columbia. These maps are designed to provide a clear picture of how different states are performing in terms of fostering a healthy election system and optimizing civic engagement.

Each state is assigned a “Democracy Tally,” which is a count of the number of laws and policies within the state that contribute to a robust election system. This tally is a part of the broader evaluation of state election and voting policies, which are grouped into six major categories:

• Voter Registration
• Representation & Participation
• Voting in Person
• Voting By Mail
• Election Security, and
• Independence & Integrity

Visitors can click on any state to view detailed laws and state profiles. Additionally, folks can explore the maps by subject area to understand specific aspects of election and voting laws.

There are other maps on the site that show just how much of a hold that hate, misogyny, and fear has on the populace.

Getting Involved & Staying Informed

For folks in the U.S. (I’m not comfortable interfering in elections abroad), Indivisible is a good starting point. I’m also a fan and supporter of The Bulwark, though I grok that “liberals” might still be wary of former die-hard GOPers.

Ground News is also a great place to check your biases whilst also getting up to speed on what’s happening at home and abroad.

FIN

There will be regular pro-democracy posts on the blog in 2024, so use the per-topic RSS feeds if you want to avoid them.