America’s Cold Civil War
When, however, inequality reaches the critical point, when interests diverge so much that consensus is no longer attainable, the bonding tissue that keeps society together begins to tear and democracy becomes compromised. In the absence of commonality, disputes can no longer have peaceful resolve. Instead, the resolution occurs through negotiation or war. — Read more from NOTES FROM DISGRACELAND and follow on Twitter
22. VIII 2021
Our everyday life is peppered with illegal activities –
‘Save the ballot boxes’ Amy Klobuchar stated on Jan. 6th. Although multiple copies exist, certifying Biden would have taken longer, and, Manchurian Mango would have more fool’s fodder to claim election fraud.
A related fissure is the response to vaccination, mask mandates and such.
It’s not getting any better. Those of you with an FT subscription might care to read “Second Thoughts on Second Homes” published yesterday.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to run out to the ag supply store to lay in some horse dewormer, just in case …
One aspect of defusing this situation is time. So far we see a lot of denial and anger. Bargaining and depression are a little less obvious to observe. Denial is fairly obvious (stolen election theories). So we have refusal to vaccinate, fights over masking-sometimes I think they’re trying to spread covid. Anger stage of grief is as good an explanation as any for such childlike behavior
“by dirt”?
I’ve often felt that Republicans have the wrong enemy.
The first enemy is of course climate change.
Because that will kill us all.
After that, the next enemy is serious economic inequality in this country. Economic inequality is not been this great since the 1920s. It doesn’t matter if the Fed tightens or loosens, in either case the 1% will end up with a bigger share of the pie.
And yet, for all the real issues that we face, Republicans see the enemy as a guy from Guatemala who is coming here because his crops won’t grow.
It takes some serious propaganda to divert 45% of the people from the real issues. Murdoch and the Koch brothers have done well.
I draw an analogy between the January 6th Capitol riot to the rioting and looting of the Jacob Zuma cronies in South Africa last month. It seems both leaders were desperately trying to avoid the consequences of the their actions and taking responsibility for their immoral activities
Thank you, Bjarne Knausgard. In each you post, your perspective shines a very useful light on the inherent complexity of realities beyond everyday awareness. I especially benefit by the historic references in your theses, which recall my university readings of 19th and 20th century philosophers and the politics, evolved in parallel during those eras. Thank you very kindly, sir, for your investment in these conversations.
One ironic thought about Jan 6: If the National Guard had been present and in force to properly manage the crowd, the whole thing would have had a negligible impact. The phone records of republican congressional representatives would not be subpoenaed by a House Select Committee. There would be no need to bring Jim Jordan, Mo Brooks, and Kevin McCarthy before the Select Committee, which may not otherwise have been called to examine what would have been a much less traumatic event. But given what actually occurred, the congressmen will face some form of reckoning.
The events that we saw on Jan 6 amplified the threat Trump poses to democracy, and the threat that many party members pose by backing him. Their cards are plainly on the table. Even without Jan 6, however, the Republican party could not help but be unalterably diminished and discredited by its affection for Trump, and, as you put it, “transformed as the white supremacist party.”
Indeed, we find ourselves in a cold civil war of ideas. White supremacy continues to be a stain on our culture and politics. And now utterly lacking any pretense of standing as the party of Abraham Lincoln, the question placed squarely on the table for all the country to see is: “We are white supremacists… Will you vote for us?”
Some people will definitely vote for them. White supremacy is not new to the US body politic. But it’s not cloaked and hidden as it once was.
Modern white supremacy took new forms after the Civil Rights and the Voting Rights acts of the sixties. During Trump’s presidency it came into much sharper focus. I believe US voters can see through the pabulum being pedaled by Brooks, Jordan, Trump, etal. Mo Brooks may win the senate seat in Alabama next year. And the House is in contention, so Kevin McCarthy may become the Speaker. They will have their voters. But what will be the bigger picture of the country? That’s the million-dollar question.
Democracy, by definition, moves slowly. The antivaxxers may, in some form, persist. Q-Anon may also. But there is a good chance these “movements” will be nothing more than peccadillos of history. Trump and the republican party, however, are no such things. Their autocratic and clearly white supremacist leanings present real danger. The American people must be fully prepared to confront them in the vote.
Pardons did not have much to do with it. Donald Trump has a totalitarian mindset. He considers himself naturally to be “President for Life” and that life will extend forever. Rules for succession do not apply to him because there can never be a succession. He cannot die, the universe can only end its existence.