A New Era?

It’s the first of November and the midterm elections are in one week. I have been meaning to start blogging again — not least because I just wound up auto-paying for another year of hosting. As long as I’m paying for it I may as well be using it. And who knows, maybe this time’s the charm and I’ll establish a regular writing — and pubishing — habit.

The other good reason to begin blogging again is that the results of the coming election could have dramatic effects on US politics and society. Not a few political writers have opined that “democracy” itself is on the ballot. Since the current occupant of the White House is a Democrat, Republicans should pick up seats in the House and the Senate. That is the conventional (and historical) wisdom. At the same time, we are in a situation in which that is far from certain. For a number of reasons, it’s possible that Democrats will maintain control of the House and may even pick up a seat or two in the Senate. I wish I could say that I’m optimistic; at the very least, I suppose, I can say that I’m hopeful.

I am not now, nor have I ever been, a Democrat. I recently noted on social media that I have never voted for a candidate — only against an other candidate. A friend, a Republican stalwart, thinks that that’s very sad. I live and vote in reliably blue Maryland. Consequently, because I know that the Democrat will win Maryland’s electoral votes, I have had the freedom to vote for 34d party candidates from time to time. Since I think we definitely need more viewpoints in our polity, I am interested in helping 3rd party candidates reach the level of votes to qualify for government assistance. I don’t actually know how that works but, again, because Maryland is a Democrat stronghold,I don’t’ generally need to worry that a Republican will win my state’s electoral votes.

I should clarify. I don’t support the Democratic Party in most respects — only in the sense that it is not the Republican Party — and our system pretty much disallows any other party from gaining power. My late friend Kelley — a brilliant woman (and a communist!) noted that as the Republicans sink lower and lower in decency, those of us who want good things for all of our citizenry are effectively Democrats. Talk about the unkindest cut!

Even when I voted for Barack Obama, I was more interested in breaking the race barrier than I was enamored with his candidacy. His presidency proved my perception correct. He was an utterly center hugging President. I am sympathetic, though. He may have had more progressive desires but was necessarily constrained by the fact that he was the first black President. For the sake of future Presidents of color, Obama had to steadfastly avoid anything radical. His grounding in the center, of course, didn’t stop Republicans from painting him as a wild eyed radical. A communist even. But, the Republican Party, at least from the time of Ronald Reagan (when I started paying attention), has felt free to jettison truth when it’s inconvenient.

When Trump ran against Hillary Clinton in 2016 I voted for Clinton (rather than supporting the idea of 3rd parties) because such an absurd candidate as Trump needed thorough repudiation. I believe everyone was surprised — even Donald Trump himself — when Trump won the election. There are a number of reasons why that happened but I’m not interested in covering that ground. Rather, as Trump’s lawless and chaotic presidency unfolded, it became more and more apparent that the Republican Party’s fealty was to the party itself. And damn the country. As Trump angles for another run at the White House in two years, the Republican Party should be maneuvering to prevent him from getting its nomination. But it is unwilling to risk disaffecting the people who are ardently for Trump.

After Trump lost in 2020, we have been  informed continually about his attempts to stay in power. He lied about his loss — the election must have been rigged because there’s no way he could lose. In response to Trump’s lies, and the fact that the election put Democrats in control of both houses of Congress and the White House, the Republican Party has worked overtime to change state election laws where they are in control, to ensure “election integrity.” Historically, and practically, we know what “election integrity” means: the Republican candidates must win. 

Despite enjoying control of Congress and the White House, Democratic efforts to shore up and protect voting rights have largely failed. That is why, as the midterm election looms, people are saying that “democracy” is on the ballot. If Republicans gain control of one or both houses of Congress, we can be sure that there will be no national legislation to protect voting rights. If anything, there may be legislation to protect Republican seats — if they can find a way to do so that doesn’t tread on the Constitution. And, with the reactionary majority that Trump was able to install in the Supreme Court, they may not have to work too hard to avoid conflict with the Court.

When Obama was elected — and even when Trump was elected — I felt an impulse to start writing to chronicle the events of such extraordinary presidencies. But I didn’t get around to it and have only written the occasional piece about one thing or another.

Today, I’m beginning a week ahead of the elections to begin chronicling what may be the most consequential era of politics in my lifetime. If Republicans win, even if they only win control of the House of Representatives, we may be looking at the beginning of the downfall of the Republic. The House will concern itself with vengeance and the traditional Republican hobby horse: lowering taxes on the wealthy. There certainly won’t be any significant legislation passed. There almost certainly will be an impeachment or two. If Democrats maintain control of Congress, there may be legislation to codify voter protections and other things to contribute to the health of our democracy. Democrats aren’t especially likely to address all the ways our Republic is in danger — particularly if their margin of control is as narrow as it is now. No matter the outcome of the election, we are headed for interesting times. And you know what they say about living in interesting times.