(Thread) Here's the Thing About Democracy
I started a new thing on my blog. I added an “Ask Teri” button. Back when I had 200 followers on Twitter, I answered every question. Now I can’t. (I can't even see everything) I’ll see if this works better.
Question #1 ⤵️
I started a new thing on my blog. I added an “Ask Teri” button. Back when I had 200 followers on Twitter, I answered every question. Now I can’t. (I can't even see everything) I’ll see if this works better.
Question #1 ⤵️
1/ A lot is being written about how to strengthen our battered institutions. I plan to devote full blog posts to particular reforms that can help.
But here’s the thing about democracy: At any given time, a majority of voters can decide it’s time to end democracy.
But here’s the thing about democracy: At any given time, a majority of voters can decide it’s time to end democracy.
2/ In 2016, Trump ran as a “disruptor" and norm breaker. He promised to dismantle agencies, do away with regulations.
People who voted for him didn't care if he lied and cheated and broke rules. That's what they wanted.
People who voted for him didn't care if he lied and cheated and broke rules. That's what they wanted.
3/ Law and institutions (no matter how well-crafted) won't hold up if a president, backed up by a major party and a majority of voters, won't honor them.
Notice the part about the “majority of voters.” Trump is not backed by a majority. In the end, that’s why he’ll fail.
Notice the part about the “majority of voters.” Trump is not backed by a majority. In the end, that’s why he’ll fail.
4/ The best way to prevent another destructive administration is to make sure another destroyer doesn’t get into the White House.
A lot of people who voted for Trump in 2016 didn’t really understand what they were voting for.
A lot of people who voted for Trump in 2016 didn’t really understand what they were voting for.
5/ Polls show that many of them had buyer’s remorse. Notice how the green and orange switch positions within a month of Trump’s inauguration ⤵️.
We’ve learned since 2016. The question is whether we will be able to retain and act on what we learned.
We’ve learned since 2016. The question is whether we will be able to retain and act on what we learned.
6/ I’ll do my part by writing books and articles and continuing my volunteer legal work in voter protection.
What will you do?
terikanefield-blog.com/things-to-do/
What will you do?
terikanefield-blog.com/things-to-do/
7 / Question #2 ⤵️
We will soon find out.
This is what is known as trading up for a better problem. I’d rather have the problem of a lame duck session, than the problem of the GOP winning the 2020 election.
We will soon find out.
This is what is known as trading up for a better problem. I’d rather have the problem of a lame duck session, than the problem of the GOP winning the 2020 election.
8/ Question #3 ⤵️
The Hatch Act bars federal employees from using the power of their official positions to push partisan political outcomes. Government employees have faced serious consequences like firing or suspension without pay for violations.
washingtonpost.com/politics/hatch…
The Hatch Act bars federal employees from using the power of their official positions to push partisan political outcomes. Government employees have faced serious consequences like firing or suspension without pay for violations.
washingtonpost.com/politics/hatch…
9/ The Trump administration repeatedly violates the Hatch Act.
When Trump leaves office, Congress can empower an agency or the OSC to investigate, but because the president is the head of the branch of government responsible for enforcing the laws, we're back to Question #1.
When Trump leaves office, Congress can empower an agency or the OSC to investigate, but because the president is the head of the branch of government responsible for enforcing the laws, we're back to Question #1.
10/ The question comes back to: What if a major political party shields a president who refuses to follow and enforce the laws?
The Constitution has a remedy for a lawbreaking president: Impeachment and removal.
This doesn’t work if the Senate shields the president.
The Constitution has a remedy for a lawbreaking president: Impeachment and removal.
This doesn’t work if the Senate shields the president.
11/ The solution is not to elect lawbreakers to office.
If we elect honorable people, they will behave honorably and uphold the laws.
Sometimes things are so simple it’s just annoying. Right?
If we elect honorable people, they will behave honorably and uphold the laws.
Sometimes things are so simple it’s just annoying. Right?
12/ The biggest threat to democracy is that at least 65 million Americans will vote for Trump in 2020, even with everything we know about him.
It's not enough for Trump to win, but his voters won't go away or suddenly fall in love with rule of law.
It's not enough for Trump to win, but his voters won't go away or suddenly fall in love with rule of law.
https://twitter.com/matthewjdowd/status/1318648690224095239
13/ This is getting long, so I’ll just refer you to the blog post, where I also answer a question about the Supreme Court “deciding the ballots,” a Supreme Court nominee lying under oath, how to end Citizens United, and more.
terikanefield-blog.com/heres-the-thin…
terikanefield-blog.com/heres-the-thin…
14/ Yesterday, I answered a question about whether Trump will be held accountable after he leaves office.
Short answer: Yes.
Longer answer: I veered into a discussion of the nature of punishment and problems with using criminal law to solve problems.
terikanefield-blog.com/accountability…
Short answer: Yes.
Longer answer: I veered into a discussion of the nature of punishment and problems with using criminal law to solve problems.
terikanefield-blog.com/accountability…
15/ It was too long for a Twitter thread. Also Twitter Peeps get mad at me for my views on punishment.
But what's a defense appellate lawyer to do?
I spent my career advocating for prison and criminal justice reform.
I'm a total Defund the Police kind of person.
But what's a defense appellate lawyer to do?
I spent my career advocating for prison and criminal justice reform.
I'm a total Defund the Police kind of person.
16/ As a bonus—and because criminal justice reform is one of my favorite subjects (me = 🤓) — I made a good percentage of my book on criminal justice available free. You can read Parts II and III free. Link at the bottom of this post. terikanefield-blog.com/accountability…
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