What are YOU doing TODAY to save democracy?
As we know and have seen, saving democracy and keeping this republic of ours, is not a hyperbolic, fear-mongering issue. The threat to democracy is as real as rain, and it is happening (and has been happening) before our eyes. All we have is the vote.
Remember the scene in Apollo 13 when the engineers on the ground had to figure out how to make air filters with what the astronauts had on board at the time?
It was one of many times that they WORKED THE PROBLEM.
And they got it done.
Here is THE PROBLEM: We know there are many, many more people who want to live in a democratic republic than there are those who want to live in an authoritarian/fascist state. We know that if the “many more” vote everywhere, democracy wins. Every damned time. BUT, relatively speaking, very few voters understand the clear and present danger of this unprecedented moment in history.
We know in this election, the difference between dictatorship and democracy will rely on the “mushy” voter who can be convinced but who is currently disengaged / undecided / unresponsive / checked out / [your idea here] / not-paying-attention / “I don’t care” / both parties are the same / etc., etc. Yes, it’s the 300,000 or so swing state voters (see @Aldous J Pennyfarthing: Daily Kos’ Postcards to Swing States campaign is back, and I just signed up to help. Please join me! Let’s do this, patriots! Democracy won’t defend itself.)
It’s also more than that.
It’s anyone anywhere who is not yet convinced to VOTE BLUE but who can be convinced.
WE and the Democratic party must communicate the unprecedented situation in which we find ourselves at every place and time possible in a manner that gains votes for BLUE. The committed fascists behind Project 2025 are just that: fascists and fanatics. From polling, it appears that a large percentage of the population is just fine with that; those individuals are impervious to convincing. BUT SO MANY ARE NOT!!! And that’s up to us.
THE critical need at this moment is for each and every one of us who is marginally able to do so to WORK THE PROBLEM from every angle from now until November 5.
We must convince people who can be convinced to VOTE BLUE no matter who is at the top of the ticket. Read that again — no matter who is at the top of the ticket. I mean every spare moment that you have. I mean carving out one to two hours a day, even if “you don’t have the time.” I mean talking with every single person in your sphere, even when it is impolite, inconvenient, “inappropriate” to do so. At work. With your family members. With the check-out person at the grocery store. At your gym. The situation is that dire. All we have is the vote.
So, let’s use this forum of communication to WORK THE PROBLEM.
Look, those of us who have been paying attention and who are on Kos, TPM, Digby, LGM, Atrios and the like – we get it. We’ve been seeing it developing for the last 45 years from Reagan’s October Surprise to July 1, 2024. However, it is only now slowly dawning on people – even other Dems who really care – that we are, as a country, in deep, deep trouble.
In my view, we need simple, accessible, easily explainable facts that illuminate the situation clearly without being overly dramatic. To use the “shouting ‘fire’ in a crowded theater” metaphor: even though the theater is on fire, the best way to get everybody to safety is in a grounded and calm, organized, and thoughtful way. To say the least, this is difficult to do BECAUSE THE THEATER ACTUALLY IS ON FIRE.
So, how does a person convince another to VOTE BLUE? What do you say to your brother who voted for Bush Sr., Clinton, and then Bush Jr.? Your co-worker who is ready to withhold their vote because they “don’t like either candidate?” Your next neighbor down the street who you see at your child’s soccer game?
Our democracy is at stake.
The situation is dire.
We cannot go back to our “normal” lives until we win on November 5. And really, the work just begins again at that point.
And WE WILL WIN.
FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION.
If you agree, join me in the comments, and let’s WORK THE PROBLEM.
DTE