American democracy, that is. I honestly think it’s very likely over. We are sliding–in slow motion but inexorably–toward authoritarianism. We are drifting toward a future America where we no longer have elections. In their place, we will have “elections.” Kind of like the ones they have in Russia.
Don’t mistake me. I don’t write this as some kind of warning, hoping it will motivate democracy-loving Americans to rise up and stop it. I don’t believe it can be stopped. If I’m issuing any warning, it is only to brace yourself for what is about to happen and its aftermath.
Donald Trump will run for president in the 2024 election. He will be the Republican nominee. He will very likely lose. But he will not concede. Instead, he and his Republican sycophants, in state governments and in Washington, will steal the election. They will declare that the loser is the winner, and they will install Trump for a second term as the 47th president of the United States. They tried it in 2020. (In fact that effort is still inexplicably underway.) Because there have been no consequences, they will absolutely do it again. Only this time it will be with more key positions filled by Trump toadies so that it does not fail.
I want to repeat that this is not what I fear might happen “unless we act now!” or something. I am convinced it’s a done deal. I don’t see a likely way to stop it. Our national cake is baked. And in three years we’ll have to blow out the candles and eat it.
What happens after that? Trumpism on steroids? Massive, government-wide corruption? Even more blatant racism? I don’t really know for sure. But whatever it is, my understanding is that once a country goes through this particular door it can be a very long time–if ever–before it finds a way back. Many of us, including me, may never live in a real democracy again.
Hyperbole? Alarmism? Tell me if you still think that come January 7th, 2025.