There is a lot of finger-pointing and fearmongering about “threats to democracy.” This phrase has appeared on several polls as a serious concern for voters along with the economy, inflation, crime, immigration, abortion, etc. As you might expect there is little agreement as to what exactly the threat to democracy means.
Historically the idea of American democracy rests on adherence to certain principles:
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- Individual rights including freedom of speech, press, and religion.
- Equality of all citizens.
- A rule of law or constitution written with consent of the governed.
- Representation based on free and fair elections.
Give the above principles, threats to democracy fall into three broad categories:
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- Suppression of rights or freedoms.
- Inequality.
- Disruption of rule of law including the legal election process and resorting to violence rather than due process.
Now let’s look at the categories and examples through the eyes of different voters.
Liberals see threats from:
Loss of freedoms or rights
- Suppression of freedom to choose through restricted access to abortion.
- An overly conservative Supreme Court.
Inequality
- Electoral College inaccurately representing the will of the majority because votes are not based on population. Low population states have undue influence.
Disruption of the rule of law
- Violence from MAGA extremists as demonstrated by January 6 protests.
- Fear of “insurrection” or overthrow of the established government by failure to accept election results.
- Fear of an ideologue or “strongman” dictator taking over the country.
Conservatives see threats from:
Loss of freedoms or rights
- Loss of right to life for unborn infants.
- Suppression of alternate ideas on social and mainstream media.
- Use of bureaucracies to enforce mandates, control information and natural resources, and to target political opponents.
Inequality
- Identity politics creates inequality and fosters victimization over assimilation.
- Unrestrained, unlegislated spending creates economic instability and insecurity. Guaranteed income for select groups redistributes wealth.
Disruption of the rule of law
- Violent protests that destroy property or prevent people from going to work, worship or school.
- Loss of faith in fair elections and institutions. Voting rules changed mid-cycle without legislative approval.
- All aspects of federal overreach that weaponize the IRS, CDC, EPA, DOJ or other federal bureaucracies. Disparate treatment of classified document violations for different presidents. Misdemeanors turned into felonies against a political opponent.
- Inconsistent application of the law. Israel/Hamas protestors and 2020 rioters who destroyed property were not arrested or prosecuted while January 6 protestors remain jailed.
- Defunding or restricting police who uphold laws.
Your Duty
Understanding where the other side is coming from may help us argue our case a little better. To start on common ground, it looks like both sides agree that violence should not be part of the democratic process. We would also likely agree that distrust, lies, and corruption undermine faith in democratic institutions.
Please consider these examples and add to the list with your own observations. Feel free to rearrange them so they make sense to you.
Our wish is that during this election season you decide for yourself where the actual, not perceived, source of the threat is.
Signing the petition for a Convention of States is a message to Congress that We the People want to return to America’s founding values and principles as described in our original constitution. Article V of the U.S. Constitution provides a way for citizens to work with their local legislators to control federal excess.
Florida has already passed a resolution asking for an Article V convention, but we need to help others along. Remind your friends that Florida is a positive example of better outcomes based on term limits and fiscal responsibility.
Let’s get back together as supporters of American ideals.
