The Importance of the 2024 Elections

In 2016, it was the Supreme Court. This time, it’s democracy vs totalitarianism.

Jul 31, 2023

Issue #375 OpEd July 31, 2023

Here on our "We Are Speaking" Substack we have often discussed the importance of elections at all levels. This week's op-ed continues this theme.

Before the 2016 elections, President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton tried repeatedly to warn us of the dangers of a Trump presidency, especially and including possible future Supreme Court Justices, as well as election interference by the Russians.

Donald Trump lost the popular vote to Hillary Clinton in 2016, and the only reason he became president was because the number of third-party votes was enough to give him an electoral college victory. And just as Obama and Clinton predicted, Trump, with the help of then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, was able to place three hard-right justices on the Supreme Court. The Court has already voted down abortion rights, affirmative action, and other rights, and some of the justices are threatening to reverse same-sex marriage and even access to contraception.

At the time of this writing, Donald Trump has already been indicted once at the state level and once at the federal level, and in more than one civil suit. By the end of August, it is quite possible that he will be indicted two more times, once again at the state level and once again at the federal level.

Donald Trump has not only said that he will continue to run for office no matter how many times he’s indicted (which is constitutionally legal), but he has outlined how he plans to completely and unconstitutionally rework the three branches of government to give himself almost total power over the American people for his own purposes.

Trump, who currently has no power over any part of the government, is demanding that Congress 1) protect him against the criminal indictments he is facing, and 2) withhold any Congressionally approved aid to Ukraine until Ukraine gives him “proof” of criminality in the Biden family. This is exactly why he was impeached the first time.

He has also threatened any Republican who does not support with 2024 primary challenges to get them out of office, just out of spite. This includes vulnerable Republicans in districts won by Biden in 2020.

But it’s not just Donald Trump. The entire Republican Party has gone “MAGA,” proposing extreme right-wing positions that threaten to roll back our rights and decimate the policies of the Biden administration.

Several of the declared presidential candidates have promised to pardon Trump if they are elected (although pardons can only be for federal charges, not state charges). Also, most of them support the most extreme policies of the right wing. Vivek Ramaswamy, himself the child of Indian immigrants, has sworn that he will end the birthright citizenship guaranteed by the 14th Amendment. He neglects to mention that it would take another constitutional amendment to do so.

Former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley, another child of Indian immigrants, is stating that people who vote Democratic are voting for “Kamala Harris for president,” morbidly implying that President Joe Biden will not live out another four-year term. Of course, Vice President Kamala Harris’ mother is also from India.

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Voting for any Republican, or casting a "vanity/protest vote" for a 3rd-party candidate who has no chance of winning is just plain dangerous for our very democracy.

In the upcoming 2024 election, the potential dangers of electing Donald Trump and Republicans cannot be overlooked. One concerning aspect is "Project 2025," a proposed roadmap for the first 180 days of a Republican administration starting in 2025 that is full of sweeping recommendations to deconstruct all sectors of the federal government– – including environmental policy.

Moreover, Trump's statements regarding reworking the executive branch to acquire more power are alarming. Granting excessive power to the executive branch can undermine the checks and balances that are essential for a healthy democracy. It is crucial to question the motives behind such proposals and the potential consequences for our democratic institutions.

The views of current Republican candidates on important issues further highlight the potential dangers. Many Republicans support stringent and total abortion bans, which could severely limit women's reproductive rights. This regressive stance undermines the progress made in achieving gender equality and personal autonomy.

Additionally, Republican-led efforts for voter suppression pose a threat to the core principles of democracy. Restrictive voting laws disproportionately affect marginalized communities, hindering their ability to participate in the democratic process. Such actions undermine the integrity of elections and erode trust in our democratic system.

Any Republican administration could also seek to rescind important programs and policies implemented by the Biden administration. This could include rolling back healthcare reforms, environmental regulations, and social safety nets. Such actions would have far-reaching consequences for the most vulnerable members of society, exacerbating inequality and leaving millions without essential support.

Neglecting the urgency of addressing climate change is another worrisome aspect. Many Republicans have expressed skepticism or denial of climate science, hindering progress in mitigating the effects of this global crisis. Ignoring climate change not only endangers the environment but also undermines efforts to secure a sustainable future for generations to come.

Voting for Democrats means protecting our democracy, even if you don't agree with all of President Biden's policies. Voting Republican - or 3rd-party - means destroying our very democracy and remaking America into a totalitarian, white nationalist, and Christian theocratic state.

It is essential for voters to carefully consider the potential consequences of their political choices and prioritize the preservation of democracy, equality, and the well-being of future generations.

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