Democracy
The myth that barely survived...
Coming up on the anniversary of the January 6th riot, we may wish to believe that the U.S. is still the place we thought it was, and that the riot was a mere aberration. But I fear it’s time to face the fact that America has changed for the worse in fundamental ways we haven’t yet fully grasped.
Democracy is a myth, albeit one of the most useful myths humans have ever constructed, and I for one believe in it wholeheartedly. But it doesn’t exist independently apart from our shared imaginations. It doesn’t exist in nature — there is no democracy in the web of life. Therefore, for it to work, the great majority of people who live within the myth need to want it to work.
The truth is it has been a very good myth for most of us. It is flawed, deeply flawed, but not as flawed as every other human social order — autocracy for example. And democracy won’t survive if millions of our fellow citizens don’t believe our elections are fair and are willing to instead to try to install someone else by force.
Unfortunately, this week there will be some who celebrate Jan. 6, 2021 as a positive memory and perhaps a few who will even try to replicate some form of the attack on democracy again. Congress continues its exhaustive probe of the attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election and the evidence is horrifying but it will take a great writer to compile a report anyone will read, let alone believe.
And I’m not sure Congress contains that great writer.
What is the story? That the world’s strongest democracy came close to collapse? Even after a year of considering what happened, those words sound unreal, nightmarish. Yet hordes of our fellow citizens, some armed, all angry, rushed the Capitol seeking to disrupt the Electoral College from certifying the election of President Joe Biden.
The man who lost the election, Donald Trump, sat in the White House watching events unfold on TV after inciting the crowd to do exactly what they did. Remember how they chanted “Hang Mike Pence” and “Kill Nancy Pelosi” — were those empty threats?
I don’t think so.
From the Congressional investigation, we know Trump and his co-conspirators were plotting various options to keep him in power and subvert the vote of the people. That they were too ignorant and naive about the electoral process and how to successfully subvert it is what small, small comfort we have now.
Yes, we escaped disaster, barely, but Trump and his ilk know more about how the system works now, and some of the checks and balances that saved our system of government are more vulnerable now than they were a year ago.
Many of the county officials in swing states who refused to falsify returns under the pressure generated by Trump supporters have resigned or have been removed from office. The same with some of the Electors. Those replacing them may not act as ethically or as honestly should another closely contested election come down to the type of contested late counts as it did in 2020.
And given how deeply divided the country appears to be, it’s likely that the 2024 Presidential election will be very close again, even though we don’t yet even know who the candidates will be.
None of this is comforting. All those of us who care about such things can do for now is to remain vigilant and speak out whenever we can, which is what I’m doing today.
Of course, remaining silent is an option. It’s another way of saying you don’t think your opinion matters. Which is equivalent to thinking your vote doesn't matter.
Which is one step away from ensuring that democracy will die.
MONDAY’s HEADLINES:
Every Day Is Jan. 6 Now — Though we yearn for peace and quiet, things in America are far from normal. (Editorial Board/NYT)
Jan. 6 committee prepares to go public as findings mount (AP)
Liz Cheney on Trump: He’s a threat to American democracy (Politico)
Poll: Democrats and Republicans split over Jan. 6 attack, Trump’s culpability (WP)
Poll: House's Jan. 6 probe is popular — even among many Republicans (Politico)
Omicron-related disruptions cause over 3,600 flight cancellations to start off 2022 (Reuters)
With Omicron’s Rise, Americans Brace for Returning to School and Work — The highly contagious variant has already contributed to flight cancellations and staffing shortages. (NYT)
Omicron could lead Israel to herd immunity, health official says (Reuters)
‘There is no money left’: Covid crisis leaves Sri Lanka on brink of bankruptcy (Guardian)
How the U.S., U.K. and Pakistan Teamed Up To Stop Another 9/11 (Politico)
When They Warn of Rare Disorders, These Prenatal Tests Are Usually Wrong — The false positives aren’t mentioned in the brochures for these blood screenings, which are sold by some of the biggest labs in the country. (NYT)
U.S. officials ask AT&T, Verizon to delay 5G wireless over aviation safety concerns (Reuters)
Even My Business-School Students Have Doubts About Capitalism (Atlantic)
Climate change, new construction mean more ruinous fires (AP)
Whistleblower warns baffling illness affects growing number of young adults in Canadian province (Guardian)
Climate change and the battle for Canada’s forests (Financial Times)
Citing danger to freshwater, scientists say we need to put brakes on road salts (WP)
U.S. Military Focusing on ISIS Cell Behind Attack at Kabul Airport — The suicide bomber who killed nearly 200 people, including 13 U.S. troops, had been freed from prison by the Taliban days before the attack. (NYT)
Map drawn from memory helps reunite kidnapped Chinese man with family (BBC)
Robots to probe inside Fukushima reactor (NHK)
NBA: Stephen Curry breaks own three-pointer record in Golden State Warriors win (BBC)
Take small steps to rekindle friendships in the new year (WP)
Herpetologists Discover Species Of Frogs That Evolved To Spontaneously Grow Top Hat And Cane (The Onion)