A six-point plan to stop the Republicans' anti-democratic moves

[Nevilledog]

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Marc E. Elias
@marceelias
"Right now, as Republicans keep undermining our election system, America is becoming less democratic. That’s an existential crisis, and it should be treated like one. At least six things are needed to turn the tide."

Opinion | A six-point plan to stop the Republicans’ anti-democratic moves
American democracy faces an existential crisis. It should be treated like one.
washingtonpost.com
9:17 AM · Jun 7, 2021

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/06/06/six-point-plan-stop-republicans-anti-democratic-moves/

Having a functioning democracy isn’t just about electoral rules. But core democratic principles include every citizen having an equal, unhindered right to vote, elections being administered freely and fairly, and political parties respecting the outcomes of those elections. We often think of democracy as binary — a political system is either democratic or it isn’t — but scholars view democracy as a continuum. And right now, as Republicans keep undermining our election system, America is becoming less democratic.

That’s an existential crisis, and it should be treated like one. At least six things are needed to turn the tide.

First, we need a collective national effort focused at the state level — either to block anti-democratic laws from passage or to at least get their worst provisions removed. Since the states adopting these provisions are so dominated by Republicans, there is often little the Democrats there can do. National Democrats and nonpartisan groups have to interject themselves into these fights. Most important, since these are conservative-leaning states, businesses and pro-democracy Republican politicians, both local and national, need to speak out forcefully, too.

Former president George W. Bush is concerned about the GOP’s direction and lives in Texas — why isn’t he condemning the aggressively restrictive voting law his party is pushing there? Why isn’t Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.)? I understand that businesses are wary of offending conservative customers and running afoul of GOP politicians. But democracy should come before profits — and, anyway, democratic decline is not going to be good for businesses.

*snip*

[PSPS]

1. "democratic decline is not going to be good for businesses"

I don't know about that. The Myanmar military is involved in the biggest companies there and profits handsomely from it. It's one reason it loathes democracy and freely slaughters its citizens when they rebel against their latest coup.

[jalan48]

2. If it's monopolistic capitalism a democratic decline could work well for those with money

and power. Better yet, just have the corporations openly running the government for their own benefit while using propaganda to convince the people it's in their best interest.

[Elessar Zappa]

3. But most businesses abhor chaos.

It interferes with profits. And I guarantee that if the GOP steals an election there will be plenty of disruption.