In Peril: Our Democracy

Our nation is divided, our basic rights are threatened, our confidence in our elected government and courts is low.  We are rapidly losing what has made us “Americans” and the values of our democratic form of government.  While our last election is generally credited as the most secure in history it was nearly overthrown by the Republican insurrection of January 6th, 2021 which attempted to subvert the electoral certification.  Unfortunately the situation since has become increasingly dire.

In his 1964 speech accepting the Republican Party’s nomination for President conservative Barry Goldwater stated that:  “This is a party, this Republican Party, a Party for free men, not for blind followers, and not for conformists.”  Oh, how time has changed the Republican party!   The Republican Party has become a cult, enthralled to an egomaniacal con man.   For the first time in modern history the Party didn’t even issue a platform prior to the 2020 election, but rather issued a “resolution” that basically said the Republican Party stands for whatever Donald Trump says.   Thus to be a Republican today Trump’s values must be your values by definition, to claim otherwise is hypocrisy.  Goldwater’s description of the Republican party has been turned on it’s head, and is today a not a Party for free men, but for blind followers and those who conform to Trump’s values.   Thus the “big lie” persists, with over 70% of Republicans believing that President Biden was not legitimately elected in spite of a complete absence of tangible evidence, numerous audits, decisions by over 70 Republican appointed judges; and, the Trump Justice Department,  FBI and Homeland Security Department.

Having failed to subvert the 2020 election the Republican Party/Cult has turned to altering the process for free and fair elections at the State level by restricting who can vote, who counts the votes and empower state partisan officials to overturn election results.