When Did It Become Acceptable To Oppose Democracy?

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Last July, President Joe Biden addressed the nation from Philadelphia and declared that the continued attack on free and fair elections is “the most significant test of our democracy since the Civil War.” A year later, the attacks have continued, and the situation has become even more dire.

In our two-party system, it is common for there to be sharp divides on the big issues of the day. But increasingly, the parties differ on the basic foundations of our democracy — from one person, one vote to free and fair elections to the peaceful transfer of power. I was struck that a recent article in the Washington Post referred to me and others focused on the right to vote as “democracy advocates” without any trace of concern or irony. It is true that I am an advocate for democracy. But I am left asking, when did it become acceptable to oppose democracy?

Since President Biden gave that speech, Congress has considered several bills aimed at protecting the right to vote and preventing election subversion. Each one of them has been opposed by Republicans. Not just some Republicans, but literally every single Republican in Congress. In 2006, the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) was passed 98-0 in the Senate and overwhelmingly in the House. It was even signed into law by a Republican president.

Now, when it comes to the attack on our electoral process, Republicans do not pretend to care. Stories about the disenfranchisement of voters or plans to subvert election results do not even garner Republicans’ platitudes. The degradation of American democracy does not even warrant their cynical thoughts and prayers.

https://www.democracydocket.com/news/when-did-it-become-acceptable-to-oppose-democracy/

[C_U_L8R]

1. When repubs realized they can't win fair elections anymore.

Demographics and social trends are not at all in their favor. The only way they can win is to lie, cheat and steal.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

4. They can definitely win many fair elections w/o cheating ...

The real problem is ... doing so does not achieve the LEVEL of power ... they crave.

They already have huge inherent advantages due to the Senate and Electoral College, but it's just not enough for these fuQs.

[Irish_Dem]

2. When Putin decided to end modern democracies.

And the GOP agreed 100%.

[Rebl2]

10. Yep

[CrispyQ]

3. Too many were only in favor of democracy as long as they were at the top & calling the shots.

Rich, white men placed themselves at the top of the hierarchy at the birth of the nation with rigged rules to keep themselves there, but a bunch of uppity women, people of color, & gays demanded equality & worse, equity in the system & now the white Christian patriarchy is threatened, so they are okay with ditching representative government in favor of authoritarianism, as long as it's their strongman who rules.

[onecaliberal]

5. So much this. The patriarchy is threatened.

They are responsible for this bullshit.

[yankee87]

7. Unfortunately true

You hit the nail on the head. Remember though, those in power never give it up willingly.

[Baked Potato]

6. After President Obama won twice. And,

Republicans have effectively associated Democracy with only “Democrats,” and to back Democracy is to support Democrats.

Republicanism is now just an opposition mob. This mob does what it is told by whomever the media helps to elevate that mouthpiece to the top of the soapbox.

Republicans telegraph who they will attack later by who they attack now. They laid down the “Democrats cheat at voting” tracks all during TFG time so as to run their “Must stop Democrats from voting” train right across America.

Republicans help their constituents shed any guilt they have over GOP dirty deeds by providing them with easily digestible anti-Democratic propaganda. It’s an opposition/justification-loop they will use over and over.

[Skittles]

8. around the same time it became fashionable to oppose Antifa

yup

I agree with the assessments above, that opposition to change from the white, straight male hierarchy is what is fueling this "movement".

[Aristus]

9. When black people were no longer required by law to work for the white man for free.

White people having to get up off their lazy asses and put in an honest day's work for a change is reason enough, as far as they are concerned, for storming the halls of democracy.

[Higherarky]

11. NEVER!!!

imo