While in Portland, one of the books I bought was How Democracies Die: What History Reveals About Our Future (Levitsky and Ziblatt). It was so engaging I almost finished it before I even got home.
What struck me the most was how wrong I’ve been thinking about how the Democrats have been governing in the face of how Trumpists-Republicans have been acting. Nancy Pelosi, I owe you an apology.
Throughout the presidency of the twice-impeached, convicted sexual predator, 91+ indicted Trump, former president, she resisted pressure on how she should be leading. I was one that was very angry at her for not opening up impeachment proceedings sooner, among other decisions she made. But, she was right.
Although there were many salient points to keep in mind from the book, what hit home the most, paraphrasing, when one party is acting undemocratic and outside the norm, the other party (or parties) must behave traditionally. We need to be reminded as often as possible that what the undemocratic party is doing isn’t normal. The party(ies) believing in democracy must continue to demonstrate democratic principles. Otherwise, what is the point in the end.
What stuck out about demonstrating democratic principles is in doing so, it helps to not normalize what is happening on the other side. To act in the same manner can present as neither parties believing in democracy because no one is demonstrating those principles. Acting the same reinforces the both-sidedism we have seen main stream media try to force down our psyches, which thankfully many are refusing to accept.
As Levitsky and Ziblatt says, as Sarah Kendzior says, as Andrea Chalupa says, as James Carville says, and so many others say in their own ways, we must speak out, stand up, vote, and not accept authoritarianism and dictatorship as inevitable. It is only inevitable if we fail to show politicians, and in reality, ourselves that we want democracy in all of its imperfections.
So, stand up, speak out, don’t accept Trumpism-Republican behaviors as normal, and as importantly vote them out of office.
One more thing I am going to do personally is to remind myself that mundane normal tradition actions take more courage than just reacting. I need to honor, but still critically question, decisions made by Democrats, and trust (the hardest part).
Together, we can save our democracy.
Personal Reflections of a Middle-Aged Man 