"As Stanford University democracy expert Larry Diamond summed it all up to me, while we’re focusing on Liz Cheney and the 2020 elections, Trump’s minions at the state level “are focused on giving themselves the power to legally get away with in 2024 what the courts would not let them get away with in 2020.”
"As Stanford University democracy expert Larry Diamond summed it all up to me, while we’re focusing on Liz Cheney and the 2020 elections, Trump’s minions at the state level “are focused on giving themselves the power to legally get away with in 2024 what the courts would not let them get away with in 2020.”
TC, both your and Larry Diamond's summation is spot on and I'm glad you posted it. I stated, without your eloquence, the same idea, that people on the local level and on up the line are doing everything they can to manipulate the outcome of our elections regardless of how votes are cast or the courts rule.
The moment Trump walked into the political arena as a candidate people began to emulate his brashness and bigotry and embrace his lies to justify almost anything that would "own the libs". The roots of Trump's brand of authoritarianism run deep in our country - his outspoken acceptance and encouragement unleashed a sort of hysteria in those who embrace it and would soon become his base. They are no less fervent today.
If those bolstering the Big Lie are not stopped it's not going to feel like a new civil war it will be a new civil war.
We're in a sad state of affairs when we have to depend on this SCOTUS to defend our democracy, but I think that's where we are. If legislatures decertify elections, one would hope they would have to give cause and, if there is none, the action would be unconstitutional. Sadly, I am far from sanguine that the court would not fall back on state's rights and refuse to hear those cases.
Invocation of an Article V convention has been years in the making. "This background memo was originally published in March 2017 and updated in April 2021."
This one-sentence summary may encourage you to read the article by Common Cause:
"The constitutional rights and civil liberties that could be impacted in an Article V convention include the freedom of speech, freedom of religion, privacy rights, the guarantee of equal protection under law, the right to vote, immigration issues, and the right to counsel and a jury trial."
"With special interest groups gaining more momentum, conservative advocates are just six states short of reaching the constitutionally-required 34-state goal. They are targeting Republican-controlled legislatures in 2021 and are within striking distance."
It is indeed a frightening proposition. I hate to sound negative but the Democratic Party played nice far too long. Taking the high road when the other political party's ambitions are clearly aimed at tearing down our democracy was and is foolish.
"As Stanford University democracy expert Larry Diamond summed it all up to me, while we’re focusing on Liz Cheney and the 2020 elections, Trump’s minions at the state level “are focused on giving themselves the power to legally get away with in 2024 what the courts would not let them get away with in 2020.”
TC, both your and Larry Diamond's summation is spot on and I'm glad you posted it. I stated, without your eloquence, the same idea, that people on the local level and on up the line are doing everything they can to manipulate the outcome of our elections regardless of how votes are cast or the courts rule.
The moment Trump walked into the political arena as a candidate people began to emulate his brashness and bigotry and embrace his lies to justify almost anything that would "own the libs". The roots of Trump's brand of authoritarianism run deep in our country - his outspoken acceptance and encouragement unleashed a sort of hysteria in those who embrace it and would soon become his base. They are no less fervent today.
If those bolstering the Big Lie are not stopped it's not going to feel like a new civil war it will be a new civil war.
We're in a sad state of affairs when we have to depend on this SCOTUS to defend our democracy, but I think that's where we are. If legislatures decertify elections, one would hope they would have to give cause and, if there is none, the action would be unconstitutional. Sadly, I am far from sanguine that the court would not fall back on state's rights and refuse to hear those cases.
I hate to say it, I'm afraid they will fall back on state's rights as well...which would have the potential to turn any and all elections into shams.
Invocation of an Article V convention has been years in the making. "This background memo was originally published in March 2017 and updated in April 2021."
This one-sentence summary may encourage you to read the article by Common Cause:
"The constitutional rights and civil liberties that could be impacted in an Article V convention include the freedom of speech, freedom of religion, privacy rights, the guarantee of equal protection under law, the right to vote, immigration issues, and the right to counsel and a jury trial."
https://www.commoncause.org/resource/u-s-constitution-threatened-as-article-v-convention-movement-nears-success/
"With special interest groups gaining more momentum, conservative advocates are just six states short of reaching the constitutionally-required 34-state goal. They are targeting Republican-controlled legislatures in 2021 and are within striking distance."
Afternoon, Lynell!! The prospect of a constitutional convention is frightening, especially with rightwingnuts leading the charge.
Ha ha! I can't believe we posted the same 1st sentence at the same time.
Morning, Daria, TPJ, Richard. I was hoping someone on this page would dismiss this right wing move as poppycock!
Great minds think alike, it is said.
It is indeed a frightening proposition. I hate to sound negative but the Democratic Party played nice far too long. Taking the high road when the other political party's ambitions are clearly aimed at tearing down our democracy was and is foolish.
are spot on not is