Democracy Under Attack

That time I wish I couldn't accurately say, "I told you so."

For a while, I've said, "If Donald Trump gets re-elected, we will no longer be home to a democratic republic."

The typical response I received? "You worry too much."

No, apparently I wasn't "extremist" enough in my concerns, as even though Trump lost in the 2020 presidential election, his supporters are actively holding the U.S. Capitol hostage, in an attempt to prevent Congress from tallying the electoral votes from the November election. 

I wish I could say I was surprised, but I'd be lying. This has been building for years, even before Trump, and here we are. The fact of the matter is certain segments of the population never accepted the South losing the Civil War and this has carried on for generations. It's why they proudly hold up the Confederate flag. It's why they don't view minorities as "real" Americans. It's why the three words "Black Lives Matter" make them feel uneasy. Like Trump will forever refuse to accept the reality that he lost the 2020 U.S. presidential election, Confederates will forever refuse to accept the reality that the South lost the Civil War, and like Trump, these Confederates are continually attempting to revise history to make their pre-Civil War life a reality in the present day.

Amazingly, these modern-day Confederate Republicans (Yes, the Confederates used to be Democrats, but the parties swapped identities in 1964. Read a little history.) tend to be incredibly outspoken about symbolism. Whether it be the flag, a Bible, the Constitution, or the anthem, they seem to be more concerned with the symbols themselves, as opposed to the message(s) behind them. What is a flag without meaning? A piece of cloth. What is the Constitution without a public that abides by it? A piece of paper. Any person can say they believe in the Bible, but if a married man is caught fornicating with his wife's twin sister, and while partaking in the deed, he blurts, "I'm faithful to you, honey! I swear!," yeah, those words don't mean much. So, what does it mean to swear off silently protesting during the national anthem; to loudly proclaim you think America is the best, freest country in the world; and then go on attempting to undermine democracy? Hypocrisy is nonsensical and that is the epitome of hypocrisy.

No one said democracy was easy. I've partaken in six presidential elections, and the candidates I voted for have gone 3-3. Yes, I was upset with the election results three of those Tuesdays in November, but democracy only works if both the winners and losers accept the outcome and the transfer of power is peaceful. Without that, while we can proudly brag to the masses that our country is the freest of them all, reality will dictate otherwise, and that's really what it comes down to. We have every right to feel a sense of disappointment, even temporary depression if a candidate we ardently supported falls short in his or her quest to attain public office. We have every right to peacefully protest a leader's policy initiatives or a social cause. We have every right to support a politician or worship a God of our choosing. But this can only work if these rights are equal across the board. It can only work if we agree to abide by the same laws and amendments. It can only work if we agree to accepting reality, as opposed to devising an alternative one. The South lost the Civil War; Donald Trump lost the 2020 election; and 2021 is the year we place 2020 in the distant rear-view and look forward to a better future. America could truly be great, but only if Donald Trump and his enablers are prevented from attempting to thwart democracy and turning it into a sh*thole country as a result.