(Thread) Why Democrats Can't Play "Hardball"
Because there is no legal way to remove them before the election⤵️
Acting outside the law would be the worst thing the Democrats can do.
First, recall why the Republicans are desperate enough to cheat . . .
Because there is no legal way to remove them before the election⤵️
Acting outside the law would be the worst thing the Democrats can do.
First, recall why the Republicans are desperate enough to cheat . . .
1/ The Republicans are on a collision course with time. Their base is aging and shrinking.
Stats from Prof. Harvard Steven Levitsky (link to his lecture on my blog) and from: census.gov/library/storie…
In 2018, young people had the largest increase in voter turnout.
Stats from Prof. Harvard Steven Levitsky (link to his lecture on my blog) and from: census.gov/library/storie…
In 2018, young people had the largest increase in voter turnout.
2/ The GOP sees that its medium and long-term prospects are poor.
They're acting from desperation.
They understand as soon as they lose power, inevitable legislative changes will make minority rule harder.
We went though this in California. See:
They're acting from desperation.
They understand as soon as they lose power, inevitable legislative changes will make minority rule harder.
We went though this in California. See:
3/ That’s why they play hardball.
Hardball tactics put stress on democratic institutions. Hardball batters and destroys them. See ⤵️a book everyone should read.
The Democratic Party has morphed into the party of urban intellectuals, minority communities, and young people.
Hardball tactics put stress on democratic institutions. Hardball batters and destroys them. See ⤵️a book everyone should read.
The Democratic Party has morphed into the party of urban intellectuals, minority communities, and young people.
4/ The Democratic Party has excellent medium and long-term prospects.
Levitsky says we’re in a political earthquake, undergoing a transition from a white Christian (male) dominated America to a true liberal democracy.
Liberal democracy is incompatible with minority rule.
Levitsky says we’re in a political earthquake, undergoing a transition from a white Christian (male) dominated America to a true liberal democracy.
Liberal democracy is incompatible with minority rule.
5/ The greatest danger to democracy is what Levitsky calls “escalation" because then both sides are battering the institutions.
“Escalation,” says Levitsky, “rarely ends well."
You don’t respond to an earthquake by putting MORE pressure on already weakened structures.
“Escalation,” says Levitsky, “rarely ends well."
You don’t respond to an earthquake by putting MORE pressure on already weakened structures.
6/ The way to respond to an earthquake is to move quickly to strengthen the weakened structures.
Because the Democrats have good medium and long term prospects it is in their interests to avoid hardball to preserve the institutions so there's less rebuilding later.
Because the Democrats have good medium and long term prospects it is in their interests to avoid hardball to preserve the institutions so there's less rebuilding later.
7/ When you understand that, the way the Democrats handled impeachment (and all of Schiff's speeches) make sense.
If both sides fight dirty (or ignore the law altogether) who is left to claim the high road?
Cynicism can kill democracy faster than Trump.
If both sides fight dirty (or ignore the law altogether) who is left to claim the high road?
Cynicism can kill democracy faster than Trump.
8/ Cynical people disengage. They think none of it matters.
They think both sides are alike so it doesn't matter who wins the election.
If both sides ARE alike, how do we fight cynicism?
(The antidote to cynicism is easy: Hold onto principles)
They think both sides are alike so it doesn't matter who wins the election.
If both sides ARE alike, how do we fight cynicism?
(The antidote to cynicism is easy: Hold onto principles)
9/ The future is (can be) democratic and diverse, so Democrats must try to preserve the institutions as much as possible during the rattling.
By “strengthen institutions” I mean individual citizens taking personal responsibility. Like this: terikanefield-blog.com/things-to-do/
By “strengthen institutions” I mean individual citizens taking personal responsibility. Like this: terikanefield-blog.com/things-to-do/
10/ The title of this thread should have been "Why Democrats Shouldn't Play Hardball."
Of course they can. But they shouldn't.
I am trained as an appellate lawyer, which means I like to back up what I say with authority.
Here you go. Authority ⤵️
Of course they can. But they shouldn't.
I am trained as an appellate lawyer, which means I like to back up what I say with authority.
Here you go. Authority ⤵️
11/ Regarding why there is no legal means to remove a lawbreaking president, see this thread from yesterday:
