We no longer have two major parties working within and for our democracy. We have the usual imperfect Democratic Party that overall supports democracy and the institutions required for our democracy to function. Then we have the Republican Party where a coup has taken place by powerful anti-democracy leaders. They have demanded that all Republican officials get off the democracy trolley and onto the anti-democracy armed tank. The instructions of this republic-wreckin’ leadership are for officials in the party to play by the rules of democracy only in instances when winning is ensured. Otherwise, they demand that officials drive the armed tank of unrestricted-might-is-right over the lives and best interests of whomever they choose to identify, at any moment and on any whim, as not-worthy.
While the Republican Party did not execute Jan. 6, 2021, the insurrection has, nonetheless, come to personify the leadership’s disinterest, disdain and disregard for our democratic republic. What to do? President Biden and others talk about electing a thin majority of Democrats to overcome legislative dysfunction. Let’s assume that in the mid-term elections two more Democrats are elected to the Senate and more seats in the House are taken by the Republican Jan. 6 Party. This leadership is well prepared to find the next weakest links amongst the Senate Democrats to obstruct legislative action. They are also well prepared to find ways to tempt Democratic House members to join them in undermining the democratic process if they can unseat enough Democrats. For these reasons, the Democratic Party needs a decisive majority in order to make democracy work.
I know there are many individual Republican officials and voters who have fought for and care dearly about preserving our democracy. I know that some of you see clearly that your party is bent on obstructing and dismantling democracy. I say to you that there is, regrettably, only one party to vote for that will maintain this great democracy. I urge you to vote and encourage friends and family to vote Democratic. Democratic voters, we have an obligation to welcome everyone who recognizes the big threat to join in voting for Democrats. This is a critical election. This is not a time to vote for or against Biden; not a time to sit out the mid-term elections in protest, anger, or apathy; not a time to vote based on the old party lines; not a time to succumb to the temptations of sirens to crash the ship of our republic by navigating on visions of gloom and doom; but a time to vote for democracy.
The Republican Jan. 6 leadership is working to discourage potential Democratic voters from participating based on feeling disappointed with Biden for those things that are his faults, anything bad that has happened during his watch, and for his inability to overcome their predetermined, persistent, strategic and effective blockading of the legislative process. Stand up! Don’t succumb or let others succumb to their tactic. They are not going to change at this point. They have persistently demanded complete loyalty and unchallenged power and have successfully controlled the Republic Party. This is their vision of leadership and of government, not ours. Their acceptance and lack of criticism of the events of Jan. 6 has exposed their basic belief in the principle that winning through might, by any and all means, makes right.
Let’s stand together for a functioning government that intentionally and actively works in the best interests of all Americans. Unfortunately, there is only one party committed to our democracy. Fortunately, we have a chance to turn the anti-democracy tide and overcome the massive obstacles constructed to disempower voters. But, we need a huge party! Begin now to invite and encourage friends, family, and others you meet to join in the celebration of and exercising of our sacred right to vote and to emphatically vote for democracy.
Edward Olmstead lives in Florence.