David Marshall
(4/2022) Around the world, there are many examples of countries experiencing a "democratic backslide" where a once established democracy starts to become unstable by taking on characteristics of an authoritarian system. This is evident in modern Venezuela and Hungary where a misstep ends in a full slide away from democracy. In other cases there are near misses where proponents of democracy are able to beat back the authoritarian attack. This is evident in the United States with the events surrounding the Jan 6 insurrection. A society will always know when it has something of extreme value because of the constant efforts by individuals or groups to either destroy that valued possession or to make it become less effective.
In countries like the United States and those making up the European Union, that one valuable possession is called democracy. The value of democracy and the rule of law were taken for granted by members of the European Parliament. As a result, a new "rule of law conditionality" mechanism was approved which links E.U. funds to a nation’s respect for democracy. Driven by the nation of Hungary’s undemocratic tendencies, including weakening the free press and undermining its independent judiciary, the European Parliament did not look the other way in the wake of these breaches. They implemented a system of accountability with consequences.
Like the European Parliament, America must also see itself as a community based on values and principles when it comes to protecting democracy. Having the bold willingness to uphold those values and principles is becoming a lost art with American leaders. Complacency among citizens is an also culprit weakening the rule of law. It is easy for Americans to have a false sense of security when we see events undermine democracy overseas and think it will not happen here. We can never afford to become complacent by seeing it as a "European problem". Over the course of time, the strength of American institutions will also be challenged by individuals and groups internally.
Regrettably, that moment has arrived. It has been a year after the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol and a large number of Republicans still believe that President Biden was not elected legitimately and that "political violence is justified in a democracy when you believe things have gotten so bad that the government is not acting in the best interest of the people". Fortunately, there are other Republicans who along with Democrats and Independents rightfully believe that protests plays an essential part in a democracy, but it should be conducted peacefully with respect for the law and for the rights of others. This viewpoint gets easily lost and almost muted by the turmoil brought forth by the pro-Trump movement. Do most Americans really care? There are so many people who have little or no interest in what is happening in our nation especially on the on the state level.
In the Georgia secretary of state race, there is an election denier running against an election defender. What is at stake is the possibility of having an individual who refused to accept the truth and validity of the 2020 election results elected into a position of overseeing future election cycles. When this occurs state by state it becomes serious death blow to free and fair elections and to democracy as a whole. Brad Raffensperger, the incumbent Georgia secretary of state, is facing multiple Republican primary challengers because he declined to assist the former president in overturning the 2020 election. Franita Tolson, an election law expert at the University of Southern California noted, "The reasons why Trump’s attempt to overturn the 2020 election failed is because there were state officials who refused to substantiate his claims of fraud. These folks really are gatekeepers." Raffensperger played a critical role in beating back the
authoritarian attack. Experts now worry that election-denying candidates will be more willing than Raffensperger to subvert the will of the voters in future elections.
Many Americans are not playing attention. A key element in a democracy is for its citizens to be active participants by being informed and concerned about public issues. Some hear the risk and the future dangers, but standing up to election deniers is a low priority for them. Any degree of apathy among citizens can destroy a government system designed to be a "government by the people". We when see Republican officials such as Brad Raffensperger, Rep. Liz Chaney and Rep. Adam Kinzinger put nation before party, we have to ask ourselves why are so few willing to take the same stand? Why are so few willing to risk their elected seats by telling the public the truth rather than repeating the same message coming from political echo chambers? Rep.
Marjorie Taylor Greene, a far-right Georgia Republican, may have given the answer when claiming that lawmakers like her are "not the fringe" but "the base of the party". If she is correct and then the majority of the party’s base supports political violence and the establishment of partisan control over a state’s election administration. This also proves that the United States no longer has a healthy two-party system. One party sees democracy is in decline because the Jan. 6 insurrection failed to fulfill its intended purpose of overturning the results of a free and fair election.
The second party sees democracy is in decline because the insurrection was a national disgrace and embarrassment for a nation having the previous honor of being the example to the world. Former president Ronald Reagan often described America as being "a shining city on a hill". Reagan’s vision of America being the example of democracy to the world transcends political party because it was supported by Republicans, Democrats and Independents. It was something Americans of all walks of life could rally behind and be proud of. If Ronald Reagan were alive to see the Jan. 6 attack and the Marjorie Taylor Greene version of the Republican base, he would be not only be disappointed, but there would be a righteous indignation toward the party.
Adam Kinzinger, through his Country First organization, is seeking to join Republicans, Democrats and Independents who share in Reagan’s vision and to see it carried out by electing officials on the local, state and federal levels who are unfearful to speak out against toxic politics and willing to fight all forms of authoritarian attacks.
David W. Marshall is author of the book "God Bless Our Divided America" and member of Country First. Country First is focused on recognizing that Republicans, Democrats or Independents don’t have to be enemies just because they have different experiences and perspectives. To learn more about Country First visit www.country1st.com
