1. Does a Harris victory only delay the inevitable of U.S. democracy being completely altered. Is it altered already?
2. If so, won't there be a more politically savvy future candidate to take Trump's place?
3. If that is the case, then should we be asking the question, "What is the new democracy? How do we engage politics?
4. Opinion: 1) The US democratic system does not need another politician in the highest office only to maintain hurtful policy or delay solutions. 2) We need to discuss, out loud, what a Trump or Trump-esque presidency could/would mean for US Democracy.
4. I think the Harris campaign has put this to the voters pretty directly. If Trump wins, it shows that they clearly do not care about this as much as the perception that a strong man can bring about a better quality of life for them than what the Democrats have done over the past 4 years. Unfortunately, that is a possibility.
As to question #3, it is very tough. I do think if Democrats get the chance they should get rid of the filibuster. I believe in majority rule. Part of the problem with our politics is that the parties aren't able to implement their programs, so then voter frustration is taken out because nothing changes. There is also a lack of accountability. If Trump loses again, maybe, maybe, there is a finally a day of reckoning for the GOP. American parties have proven very durable, but it would seem that the schism that has taken place in the GOP is too wide to keep the party together and that something new has to emerge. This could take place on the left, but nowhere near the same level. If Trump wins, Democrats need to rethink many of their positions that make them unable to appeal to the majority in the country, but I don't think this means a breakup of the party.
As to your question about Trump, I don’t know. There will certainly be competition to lead his movement, but whether a person with his charisma and appeal can be found is debatable. DeSantis tried and failed. There is something about Trumps background and persona that makes him particularly appealing to the MAGA demographic. Great demagogues don’t come around all that often.
Joyka - Thank you for this thoughtful note. We have to appreciate that democracy is a fragile form of government. It can and has been overtaken on numerous occasions in history. It is something worth fighting for in my view, and that is part of what this election is about.
I wish I shared a confident sense of Kamala’s victory. I fear the unscrupulous attempt to decertify valid voting results. And yet I hope and trust that enough sane people will swing toward a Dem President .🫣
I think it is important to go into this final week with hope not fear. I think there is a pro-decency majority. The key is getting that majority to the polls.
Few thoughts:
1. Does a Harris victory only delay the inevitable of U.S. democracy being completely altered. Is it altered already?
2. If so, won't there be a more politically savvy future candidate to take Trump's place?
3. If that is the case, then should we be asking the question, "What is the new democracy? How do we engage politics?
4. Opinion: 1) The US democratic system does not need another politician in the highest office only to maintain hurtful policy or delay solutions. 2) We need to discuss, out loud, what a Trump or Trump-esque presidency could/would mean for US Democracy.
4. I think the Harris campaign has put this to the voters pretty directly. If Trump wins, it shows that they clearly do not care about this as much as the perception that a strong man can bring about a better quality of life for them than what the Democrats have done over the past 4 years. Unfortunately, that is a possibility.
As to question #3, it is very tough. I do think if Democrats get the chance they should get rid of the filibuster. I believe in majority rule. Part of the problem with our politics is that the parties aren't able to implement their programs, so then voter frustration is taken out because nothing changes. There is also a lack of accountability. If Trump loses again, maybe, maybe, there is a finally a day of reckoning for the GOP. American parties have proven very durable, but it would seem that the schism that has taken place in the GOP is too wide to keep the party together and that something new has to emerge. This could take place on the left, but nowhere near the same level. If Trump wins, Democrats need to rethink many of their positions that make them unable to appeal to the majority in the country, but I don't think this means a breakup of the party.
As to your question about Trump, I don’t know. There will certainly be competition to lead his movement, but whether a person with his charisma and appeal can be found is debatable. DeSantis tried and failed. There is something about Trumps background and persona that makes him particularly appealing to the MAGA demographic. Great demagogues don’t come around all that often.
Joyka - Thank you for this thoughtful note. We have to appreciate that democracy is a fragile form of government. It can and has been overtaken on numerous occasions in history. It is something worth fighting for in my view, and that is part of what this election is about.
I wish I shared a confident sense of Kamala’s victory. I fear the unscrupulous attempt to decertify valid voting results. And yet I hope and trust that enough sane people will swing toward a Dem President .🫣
Yet another outstanding column which I have forwarded along. Bob Auman, Raleigh
I second the issues raised by Ms.(?) Sanders. In the meantime, we hope U R right!
I think it is important to go into this final week with hope not fear. I think there is a pro-decency majority. The key is getting that majority to the polls.