Timothy Snyder said that shock is "pre-helpless."
The idea that doom is inevitable unless X happens removes our agency and makes us helpless. In fact, what we do makes a difference.
The closest we have to a magic bullet is a Democratic sweep in 2022, including local elections.
The idea that doom is inevitable unless X happens removes our agency and makes us helpless. In fact, what we do makes a difference.
The closest we have to a magic bullet is a Democratic sweep in 2022, including local elections.
https://twitter.com/ParisBisous_xo/status/1464413937622003712
This person also misunderstood me.
The only thing standing between us and the return of the Trump regime is the Democratic Party -- so maybe trashing and battering the Democratic Party isn't smart.
Of course, everyone is free to talk about Democratic failures . . .
The only thing standing between us and the return of the Trump regime is the Democratic Party -- so maybe trashing and battering the Democratic Party isn't smart.
Of course, everyone is free to talk about Democratic failures . . .
. . .but if a majority of voters believe the Democratic Party is a failure (or they believe the Democrats are responsible for Republican law-breaking because they stubbornly refused to Do that Something that will solve the problem) I can't see Democrats winning in 2022.
Here's the thing about democracy: at any given time, a majority of citizens can decide to end the democracy.
It's easy, actually: Just elect leaders who promise to smash democratic institutions. Like Trump.
Modern-day fascists come to power through elections . . .
It's easy, actually: Just elect leaders who promise to smash democratic institutions. Like Trump.
Modern-day fascists come to power through elections . . .
. .. and then find ways to stay in power.
In this thread, I argue that nothing will change the minds of die-hard MAGAs.
Single-issue GOP voters have proven they'll overlook any amount of lawbreaking to get politicians who will push their issues...
In this thread, I argue that nothing will change the minds of die-hard MAGAs.
Single-issue GOP voters have proven they'll overlook any amount of lawbreaking to get politicians who will push their issues...
https://twitter.com/Teri_Kanefield/status/1463958661013794826
That's why I think that Left Twitter issuing unreasonable demands with unrealistic timelines and then bashing the Democrats as failures for not meeting these demands and timelines is unwise.
A problem with building a brand on "I told you it would be this bad," and "Democrats are cowardly and don't do enough," is that they can never admit a Democratic success because that will ruin their brand.
That's why I say no consequences will ever be enough for them
That's why I say no consequences will ever be enough for them
People who are cashing in on rage have an incentive to keep stirring it.
Finally, I think rage is not productive. It wears people out.
Democracy requires a lot of its citizens, and people spinning with rage can't be productive.
Rant over.
Finally, I think rage is not productive. It wears people out.
Democracy requires a lot of its citizens, and people spinning with rage can't be productive.
Rant over.
Let me be clear. Discussing problems and solutions is necessary. I'm not talking about that.
I'm talking about this sort of thing: "Nothing has happened yet because Merrick Garland is corrupt and compromised."
Left-wing conspiracy theories . . .
I'm talking about this sort of thing: "Nothing has happened yet because Merrick Garland is corrupt and compromised."
Left-wing conspiracy theories . . .
https://twitter.com/jocallag42/status/1464456215140864004
I'm talking about statements that are simply untrue, like this: "There have been no consequences."
Or using language in such an imprecise way that the statement can evoke rage without having any real meaning.
Democracy requires an informed citizenry and depends on facts.
Or using language in such an imprecise way that the statement can evoke rage without having any real meaning.
Democracy requires an informed citizenry and depends on facts.
If people are feeling deflated and weary since January 20, 2020, maybe it's because of how the news is presented.
Trump was ousted. Democrats have been passing historical legislation that will change lives. I'm back to living a normal life (with mask).
Trump was ousted. Democrats have been passing historical legislation that will change lives. I'm back to living a normal life (with mask).
https://twitter.com/sharpkmcm/status/1464460252506591240
If people are feeling weary and deflated maybe that's because they expect all political problems to be solved within 10 months. Maybe they have unrealistic expectations and demands.
If Trump had remained in power, I'd understand feeling deflated and weary.
If Trump had remained in power, I'd understand feeling deflated and weary.
I was reading my son's AP American History book (me=🤓)
According to this textbook, the Spanish-American war happened because newspapers wanted to sell lots of copies so they sensationalized (lied) about what was happening to stir people to rage.
According to this textbook, the Spanish-American war happened because newspapers wanted to sell lots of copies so they sensationalized (lied) about what was happening to stir people to rage.
https://twitter.com/PamelaRAasen/status/1464462389085040654
Negativity sells. ⤵️Rage sells. Fear sells.
(That's the Fox model: Simply complex situations, present the 'news' in a way that induces rage and keeps people hooked.)
Real leaders don't preach doom.
MLK, Jr. had a DREAM
(That's the Fox model: Simply complex situations, present the 'news' in a way that induces rage and keeps people hooked.)
Real leaders don't preach doom.
MLK, Jr. had a DREAM
https://twitter.com/PamelaRAasen/status/1464462389085040654
I can understand people are enraged and frustrated if they think:
🔹At any time, Biden could "fix" USPS but he's "refusing," and
🔹as a result, a new COVID outbreak will be "thanks to" Biden.
The truth is much more nuanced and complex.
This is a rage-inducing simplification.
🔹At any time, Biden could "fix" USPS but he's "refusing," and
🔹as a result, a new COVID outbreak will be "thanks to" Biden.
The truth is much more nuanced and complex.
This is a rage-inducing simplification.
Right, but without picking on individual things wrong with some of these Biden is a Failure tweets (coming from Left Twitter) the overall tone is important.
Democracy frustrates a lot of people because it moves slowly. That's a feature, not a bug. . .
Democracy frustrates a lot of people because it moves slowly. That's a feature, not a bug. . .
https://twitter.com/annrovetto/status/1464629212891992073
The Constitution spreads power around.
Checks and balances mean that the government moves slowly.
This is good because it makes it harder for an authoritarian to consolidate power. It's those checks and balances and power-spread-widely that stopped Trump.
Checks and balances mean that the government moves slowly.
This is good because it makes it harder for an authoritarian to consolidate power. It's those checks and balances and power-spread-widely that stopped Trump.
It also makes it harder to get things done.
Authoritarianism is attractive because it can move swiftly.
Democracy, in contrast, is grinding, frustrating work.
(Yes I know I wrote 'rant over' a while back and kept ranting 🤣)
Authoritarianism is attractive because it can move swiftly.
Democracy, in contrast, is grinding, frustrating work.
(Yes I know I wrote 'rant over' a while back and kept ranting 🤣)
Correct.
I can guarantee that when the framers of the Constitution outlined our current government, they never thought maintaining a democracy would be easy.
They knew that tyrants would arise would try to consolidate power. (Their word was "tyrant.")
I can guarantee that when the framers of the Constitution outlined our current government, they never thought maintaining a democracy would be easy.
They knew that tyrants would arise would try to consolidate power. (Their word was "tyrant.")
https://twitter.com/EliotTheAnxious/status/1464633585575489544
Right ⤵️
One problem is defining "normalcy." People who first became aware of politics in 2016 may have a distorted view of what is "normal."
American politics has always been messy and hard and right-wing extremism has always been a problem.
https://twitter.com/fartyowls1/status/1464630909349470215
One problem is defining "normalcy." People who first became aware of politics in 2016 may have a distorted view of what is "normal."
American politics has always been messy and hard and right-wing extremism has always been a problem.
Still adding:
We've never actually been "safe."
Before the Civil War, slavery was legal. That wasn't safe.
Before 1954, racial segregation was legal. That wasn't safe.
Since 1955, the right-wing backlash to desegregation has been gaining momentum.
We've never actually been "safe."
Before the Civil War, slavery was legal. That wasn't safe.
Before 1954, racial segregation was legal. That wasn't safe.
Since 1955, the right-wing backlash to desegregation has been gaining momentum.
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