Red State, Blue State

Almost 250 years ago, on April 18, 1775, Paul Revere made his famous ride, warning that the British were coming.

Many scholars are continuing to warn us that the United States has been and is now under siege. Don’t worry, there are no British armies marching through the streets in uniforms with muskets demanding loyalty to the King or Queen. Nevertheless, make no mistake. Our Republic, the United States of America, has been under attack across many fronts for multiple generations. I might have ridden through the streets, instead of writing this article, if I thought it might help. These days, riding through the streets on a horse at midnight while yelling would likely only achieve a 72-hour observation period in a local hospital unit.

These are just a sample of excellent books and articles that have been published on the continuing erosion of Democracy in America.

In 2024 our Republic (which is a form of representative democracy) is brittle, fragile, and close to breaking apart. There is nothing that would cause many of our foreign adversaries greater delight than watching America burn. Some, like Putin, are actively involved in the attack as noted in The Mueller Report. More recently the National Security Adviser, the CIA, and the FBI have agreed that Putin continues to be involved in spreading propaganda and disinformation intended to keep Americans polarized and divided as reported by NBC News.

In World War II the United States fought against Hitler and the spread of fascism throughout Europe. Whether on the battlefield, serving on ships, or in the air, soldiers endured brutal conflict, sacrificed, suffered, and died. It didn’t matter if you were a Republican, a Democrat, or an Independent -bullets didn’t care, rockets didn’t care, grenades didn’t care, shrapnel didn’t care, bombs didn’t care, landmines didn’t care, torpedoes didn’t care, and artillery rounds didn’t care. Past generations of Americans fought together regardless of political ideology because if they did not, they would not have survived, and democracy would not have survived.

Today there are unprecedented and complex threats confronting us. Conflict and global tensions, climate, disease, and resource scarcity are among our challenges. We may have different approaches to solve the challenges of our time, however, make no mistake, if we do not acknowledge that the threats are real and work together toward solving them, the American experiment in democracy will have failed. Unimaginably worse, the next and future generations might not have a livable planet.

The reality is it does not matter if you are a Democrat, Green, Republican, a MAGA Republican, an Independent, or a Libertarian -the issues we face do not care about your candidate, your vote, or what you believe.

The 2024 U.S. Elections
Regardless of your political ideology and voter registration, Democracy is on the ballot in 2024. There is a growing anti-democracy movement in the United States. While it has been named “Illiberalism” in order to make it sound more appealing to conservative perspectives, it is the embrace of authoritarian principles such as controlling journalists, education, and the courts while often rejecting fundamental principles of human, civil, and voting rights. The Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orbán, a close friend of the criminal Putin, has passionately argued for this form of governance and has become the darling of The Heritage Foundation, the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Trump, and MAGA extremists.

Any meaningful form of democracy requires an educated, informed, and engaged society. (Some may attempt to misdirect people and argue semantics and say “The United States is a Republic, not a democracy.” -which is readily dispelled by Constitutional Law Professor Lawrence Lessig.) The Declaration of Independence (a document that provides insight as to the intent of the founders of the United States) sets forth that “all men are created equal.” Of course that principle was bent to the will of wealthy white male landowners and continues to be twisted today. Gerrymandering of Congressional districts, voter suppression, and the electoral college are all used to subvert equality and democracy. Because the Republican (or Grand Old Party, “GOP”) has been taken over by MAGA/Trump extremists, and those extremists are now looking to take over Federal government in the United States and rapidly implement anti-democratic measures in order to maintain power and control for generations.

See the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 or read Professor Heather Cox Richardson’s excellent summary of this plan of attack on democracy.

It does not matter if you are conservative, moderate, liberal, green, libertarian, or none of the above, extremists are coming for our imperfect democracy. If you believe in the aspirational concept of America, that is equity, justice, and democracy, and our founding documents -the U.S. Constitution, and our Declaration of Independence -we must unite to defend America from the tyranny of authoritarian rule. We don’t have to hold hands. We don’t have to hug it out (unless you are James Carville and Mary Matalin).

Wealth Concentration and the Erosion of Democracy
The checks and balances, or the guardrails of democracy, have been eroding for generations. In 1981 Reagan signed the “Economic Recovery Tax Act (ERTA)” into law. ERTA represented the GOP’s embrace of "trickle down” economics -slashing taxes for corporations and the wealthy predicated upon the “theory” that increasing available private capital to spend, the funds will be invested in the formation of new companies, or in retooling existing companies, thus creating jobs and opportunities for all. The proven reality is that slashing taxes for the wealthy does exactly what it is supposed to do: make the rich richer, period. The income and wealth inequality grew substantially after the Reagan/GOP implementation of ERTA, while Reagan then attacked labor unions, the affordability of higher education, diminished important societal safeguards against poverty -Reagan’s famously racist quote about “Cadillac-driving Welfare queens”, and his attack on government itself “I’m with the Government and I’m here to help.” Reagan set wealth concentration in motion and then, in 2010 the horrific Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision by the Supreme Court decided that Campaign Finance Reform -limiting contributions to political campaigns (or bribes if you prefer), violated the First Amendment -the right to free speech.
Make no mistake, wealth concentration is an attack on democracy. It means you may have one vote, however, this “Political Action Committee” can drop millions of dollars into a local, State, Congressional, or Presidential race and have a massively outsized influence on the election process. I’m not anti-wealth creation. Some have risked their capital, took bold chances, had a vision, and created companies that have provided opportunities for all stakeholders: employees, investors, their consumers, and communities where they serve. I am not in favor of wealth accumulation through exploitation, externalizing costs to society, or wealth transfers such as an unlimited, untaxed inheritance. My reasoning is that it provides wealth and substantial power to a new generation of individuals never having an understanding of living paycheck to paycheck, or living in poverty, or both.

• Citizens United Explained
• How a Secretive Billionaire Handed His Fortune to the Architect of the Right-Wing Takeover of the Courts
• Nike co-founder Phil Knight contributes $2 million more to help elect Republicans
• GOP megadonor Peter Thiel to host fundraiser for Arizona Senate candidate Blake Masters
• Larry Ellison Steps Up as Top GOP Midterm Fundraiser, Donating $15 Million This Year
  
  

Climate Action
Catastrophic climate change doesn’t care who you are, or if you vote for Trump, Haley, Biden, or anyone else. Rising sea levels, extreme and catastrophic weather events, flooding, hurricanes, wildfires, drought, have led to suffering, death, and exacerbating migrations of people who are climate refugees.

The Decline of the Fourth Estate
The fourth estate, comprising the press and broadcast media, is crucial in upholding democracy by acting as a watchdog, informing the public, and holding those in power accountable. Its significance lies in providing citizens with the information necessary to make informed decisions, fostering transparency, and ensuring government accountability. However, the fourth estate in the United States has experienced a deep, concerning decline in recent years, marked by corporate consolidation and reprioritizing revenue and profitability over public service. This decline undermines the essential functions of a free press, posing a threat to the foundations of democracy and the public's ability to participate knowledgably in civics and governance. The continuing erosion of the Fourth Estate has underscores its vital function in society -promoting an informed citizenry, an important pillar of democracy.

Media Consolidation and Manufacturing Consent
Media consolidation refers to the trend of corporate mergers of major media cable, broadcast, and newspaper outlets. This leads directly to a reduced diversity of voices and perspectives in the news landscape. This consolidation has significant implications for democracy, as it limits the range of viewpoints distributed to the public and can readily constrain and/or distort the information they produce.

Manufacturing Consent, a concept popularized by Professor Noam Chomsky,

describes how concentrated media ownership is used to manipulate public opinion in line with wealthy, powerful interests. By controlling the flow of information and framing issues in specific ways, media conglomerates influence public perceptions and manufacture consent for policies and actions that serve their own agendas. This dynamic underscores the importance of fostering a diverse and independent media environment to ensure that citizens have access to a wide range of perspectives and can make informed decisions in a democratic society.

Social Media and the Betrayal of User Trust
The Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, Steve Bannon, Cambridge Analytica scandal represented a betrayal of user trust and data privacy on the social media platform. At the heart of the scandal was the harvesting of personal data from millions of Facebook users by Cambridge Analytica (now Emerdata), a political consulting firm with ties to Steve Bannon and the 2016 Trump presidential campaign as well as “Brexit”. This data was used to create targeted political advertising aimed at manipulating voter behavior. The scandal revealed not only the extent to which personal information could be exploited for political gain but also raised questions about Facebook's oversight and responsibility in protecting users. It sparked widespread scrutiny and calls for increased regulation of social media platforms to prevent similar abuses in the future, highlighting the complex intersection of technology, privacy, and democracy in the digital age.

Anti-Democracy Social Media Algorithms
Anti-democracy social media algorithms pose a significant threat to the foundations of democratic societies. These algorithms, driven by AI, are designed to maximize user engagement, often at the expense of promoting balanced and accurate information. By prioritizing sensationalist content, extreme viewpoints, and divisive narratives, anti-democracy algorithms amplify hate, fear, polarization, erode trust in institutions, and undermine democratic norms. Moreover, they contribute to the spread of misinformation and disinformation, undermining voter decision-making and participation in the democratic process.

Hate Speech, Twitter, and Elon Musk
The acquisition of Twitter by Elon Musk has sparked intense debate and scrutiny.

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has a significant presence on Twitter, where his posts often garner widespread attention. However, his posts have also been criticized for amplifying hate speech and misinformation, and encouraging others to do the same. Musk's uninformed, provocative, and controversial statements have drawn accusations of promoting hate and enabling online harassment. One of Musk’s first actions after taking the helm of the former Twitter was to eliminate the global content moderation staff who helped mitigate hate speech, bullying, and abuse on the platform.

For more: The rise of hate speech on the former Twitter
Twitter cuts workers addressing hate speech, trust, and safety

The Emerging Dangers of AI
The intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and social media has raised concerns regarding the erosion of trust and its implications for democracy. Social media platforms, driven by algorithms powered by AI, have become important channels for the distribution of news and information. However, these algorithms, on platforms such as Facebook and the former Twitter are used to maximize user engagement and activity, in order to drive revenue and profit, rather than promote accuracy or truth. Such algorithms exacerbate societal divisions, create conflict, and spread misinformation. This "betrayal of trust" occurs when users, relying on these platforms for information, are exposed to biased or false content that reinforces preexisting beliefs or prejudices. As AI continues to shape the landscape of social media, it becomes crucial to address these challenges to safeguard the integrity of public discourse and uphold, not attack democratic principles.

The Rise of Propaganda and Disinformation
The rise of propaganda and disinformation in mainstream and social media poses a significant threat to democracy. With the increasing accessibility and popularity of digital platforms, malicious actors and even State-sponsored actors have exploited these channels to spread false narratives, manipulate public opinion, and sow discord. The inundation of propaganda and disinformation undermines trust in democratic institutions, erodes the foundations of an informed citizenry, and fosters hate. Addressing this threat requires a multifaceted approach, including greater media literacy education, improved digital literacy efforts, enhanced regulation of social media platforms, and a renewed commitment to journalistic integrity and ethical reporting standards. While censorship is not a solution in an open, free, and democratic society, the concept of “Yelling fire in a crowded theater” is not a constant. What constitutes hate speech, or inciting violence varies with the level of societal education. A well-educated and informed society is more able to discern direct or coded hate speech and dismiss it. A less educated population is easily manipulated to “stand up and stand by”.

Money and the Corruption of the Justice System
Money's influence on the justice system is a concerning issue, particularly when it comes to justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito. Both have faced criticism for their connections to wealthy interests and the potential for these ties to influence their judicial decisions. Clarence Thomas, in particular, has been scrutinized for his close relationship with conservative donors and organizations, raising questions about conflicts of interest and impartiality. Similarly, Samuel Alito has faced criticism for his rulings that appear to favor corporate interests and wealthy individuals. The perception of these justices being swayed by money undermines public trust in the integrity of the judiciary and raises concerns about the fairness of legal outcomes. As the role of money in politics continues to be a contentious issue, the potential for its corrupting influence on the justice system remains a significant challenge to the principles of equality and justice.

An Unusual $1.6 Billion Donation Bolsters Conservatives
The Federalist Society, led by influential figures like Leonard Leo, has played a pivotal role in shaping the partisan nature of the judicial system, particularly under the leadership of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. With close ties to conservative donors and a mission to promote originalist interpretations of the Constitution, the Federalist Society has wielded significant influence in recommending and vetting judicial nominees for federal courts. Individuals like Barrett Seid, a prominent member of the society, have helped advance this agenda by championing nominees who align with conservative principles, particularly regarding issues such as abortion rights, gun control, and corporate regulation. McConnell, leveraging his position of power in the Senate, has prioritized the confirmation of these nominees, often pushing through appointments at breakneck speed, thereby solidifying a conservative majority on the bench. This concerted effort has led to the politicization of the judiciary, undermining its independence and impartiality, and contributing to a deeply divided and partisan legal landscape in the United States.

In conclusion (and congratulations if you made it this far!) -there has been a long, slow, insurrection in the United States since the Lewis Powell memorandum to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in August of 1971. Powell supplied the framework, implemented by Reagan, and then carried forward by Bush, “Dubya”, McConnell, the Supreme Court, and by Trump. While the Citizens United decision was the first obvious manifestation of this slow-burning insurrection, it exploded on January 6th, 2021 when Trump implored a crowd of willfully ignorant MAGA supporters and other extremists to “fight like hell”. The damage inflicted upon our system of government and economics will not be cured by magic. It will take political will. It will take perseverance. It will take patience. And it will take a majority of Americans to unite as we have many times in our history, regardless of your political party, your belief system, and other factors that continue to work to divide us. As Senator Cory Booker has said, “Indivisible we are invincible.”

However, at present we are so politically polarized, a slight Russian breeze might knock us over and kill the American experiment.

I won’t let it happen on my watch. Will you?