It is time for all Americans to accept the fact that the events that occurred last January 6th were an insurrection. If they continue to fail to do so, then democracy in the United States is doomed. It will not happen overnight, but the trajectory is clear. If Republican leaders and their supporters—business people, clergy, academics, and others—do not come to their senses the downhill path accelerated by Donald Trump, then America will devolve into an authoritarian regime. It may not be as violent as the demise of the Weimar Republic but, today, those seeking to protect democratic values and the principles upon which this nation was founded are being marginalized.
To be clear, American politics has always had its share of demagogues and lunatics. Today, however, frontline political leaders in the Congress and throughout the country are not prepared to recognize that their behavior is giving fuel and fodder to those who are challenging fundamental democratic values. In some cases, this is due to politicians’ personal greed, avarice, and ambition. This deep-seated hatred, however, is only being encouraged by the temerity of the selfish so-called leaders.
The current outcry has deep roots in American history. Racism, class-conflict, economic disparity, religious prejudices are part of the ugly side of America. It took over 170 years for America to elect its first Catholic president but by the time Joe Biden was elected last year his Catholicism was no longer an issue. These prejudices were enflamed once again after America elected its first African American president in 2008. In all likelihood the election of a woman or a gay person would have elicited a reaction which would have been equally explosive to that which followed the election of Barack Obama.
Since President Obama’s election, the historical polarization in American society has only gotten worse. It was fueled and encouraged by the election of Donald Trump, the most divisive president in American history. The violence on January 6, 2021, for which the former President is responsible—at least in part—represents the nadir of public protest in American history.
Like the persistent presence of prejudice in the history of America, so too is the presence of violence in American society. The tragedy of last January’s events is not only the fact that it occurred but the failure of so many elected officials to condemn the storming of the Capitol. Many of the public leaders have persisted in groveling to the growing alliances which have continued to support Donald Trump and his minions.
The problem is that this behavior has now begun to seriously test American democracy. Republican national leaders in Congress, in the media, and in public life (including clergy) ought to be attacking the persistent challenge to democracy, not denying that they are happening. The GOP continues to refuse to condemn the growing number of states supporting encumbering citizens’ rights to participate in elections, decreasing the availability of early voting, reducing opportunities for absentee voting, cutting sites for same day voting, and cutting hours for voting. Finally, there is an effort to totally emasculate the ability of the courts to do their work by inundating the system with frivolous lawsuits. Republican Members of Congress are determined to impede the House January 6 Committee from doing its work, by stonewalling and challenging the Committee wherever possible.
These efforts and more are all predicated on the notion that the Republicans will regain control of at least the House in the 2022 election, President Biden will be a one term president, and Donald Trump-or one of his acolytes—will be elected in 2024. The Biden years will be seen as merely an interregnum. Once returned to power, the Trump Republican Party will grind on thus further emasculating democratic institutions and turning America into a fascist state.
Many Republican supporters cannot break away from their political allegiances and refuse to recognize the tragedy that occurred in Washington last January 6. The Democratic Party is struggling as well despite the best effort of the Biden-Pelosi-Schumer team. All of this is occurring as Americans are fighting to emerge from the plague of the coronavirus.
One year after the insurrection at the Capitol, American democracy is in deep trouble.
To believe that we can rely on responsible Republicans to save American democracy is illusory at best and in fact counterproductive at worst. Most what were considered responsible community Republican leaders and many who dislike Donald Trump and would prefer those Republican candidates who’ve been pushed out of office or contention by the Trumpers are so partisan in their disgust of Democrats that they will vote blindly for whatever the Trumpers present for them, however dangerous these choices will be for democracy.
The weight of action to save democracy falls to the Democrats. On the positive side it was extraordinary to have won so handily the 2020 election with a candidate who is old and has lost the charisma o…