Judging from all recent polls, the presidential election contest in the United States remains tight. For sure, Kamala Harris has made substantial gains over her swooning predecessor President Biden. She is now ahead in most national averages and has turned the six to eight swing states into statistical ties. But even with that positive momentum, the election as of mid-August is essentially a dead heat, and predicting an outcome at this point is a fool’s errand – not that that will stop any number of pundits or dinner party guests from speaking with great authority and even greater certainty.
Zach, wonderful column, congratulations. Long time no speak; my fault, I think. I have a book coming out in April, "Eminent Jews: Bernstein, Brooks, Friedan,. Mailer." How do Jews act when they enjoy liberties that they never enjoyed before? That's the theme. They worked in different fields, barely knew one another. But a common generous egotism, etc. Best, David Denby
I'm a Canadian living in Quebec but I try to follow American politics. I have to disagree with your premise that voters have so much clout. I am noticing that the right to vote for some citizens seem threatened: limits and changes to the mail-in rules, pretty obvious gerrymandering, moving or limiting the voting boxes in some areas. Aren't there laws disallowing giving water to waiting voters in some states? What about the availability of the Souls to the Polls program? I dont understand the Electoral College at all, but maybe that's just me.
I am also horrified by the behaviour and rulings of the recent Supreme Court. Honestly, I think Americans AND Canadians have no protections from some very damaging potential decisions. The Court just made the president's power seem pretty royal.
I dont mean to be judging, but these are my very troubled and personal observations.
The Electoral College is certainly a troubling aspect of the American political system, but in Canada and Britain you can also gain disproportionate political power with fewer votes. The restrictions in some states on voting rights is also disturbing, though the ordinance against giving out water is more a nuisance than an actual infringement.
"But the real challenge to democracy isn’t intense division; its apathetic disengagement." Couldn't agree more. I appreciate all your historical examples, too. When people forget what we've been through as a country, they not only lose gratitude for current times, but actually are disrespecting our ancestors. I can't imagine taking over my husband or brother's job during WWI, keeping the economy turning, while knowing I couldn't vote.
Another historical example of intense, aggressive partisanship: When the South Carolina legislature declared federal tariffs on goods from Europe unconstitutional, President Andrew Jackson literally said that he would send the military down there and hang them (1830s Nullification Crisis).
We absolutely do know how it can happen here. Nearly all republics that turned into autocratic regimes once had a strong democracy.
Project 2025 is authoritarian by the vey nature of its unpopularity https://navigatorresearch.org/project-2025-has-become-significantly-more-unfavorable-since-trump-attempted-to-distance-himself-from-the-plan/. Its implementation would go against the majority of the nations wishes. Bad policy signifies fascist themes such as nationalism, suppression of women’s rights, erasing language, suppression of lgbtqia rights, swift restructuring of government, loyalty tests, militarism, religious nationalism, and the rhetoric of a nations rebirth all of which is in Project 2025, is fascist.
The entire project is based on the firing of civil servants & replacing them with loyal servants & creating a strong unitary executive - this is exactly what authoritarianism is.
I’ll leave 2 sources here in regards to how Donald Trump plans (beyond Project 2025) would lead us to an autocratic country
I’m surprised you didn’t cite Project 2025. If you are not sure how an autocracy could be achieved in the US, please see their blueprint. 900+ pages of details.
Much of that report isn't at all "autocracy," even if it is terrible policy. Strict immigration controls, mass deportations, closing the department of education may be objectionable but they aren't anti-democratic.
What about firing tens (maybe hundreds) of thousands of civil servants and replacing them with trump loyalists, making the DOJ an arm of the president for revenge and retribution, and installing the unitary executive? I guess their Supreme Court has already taken care of the presidential immunity, i.e. dictatorship.
Zach, wonderful column, congratulations. Long time no speak; my fault, I think. I have a book coming out in April, "Eminent Jews: Bernstein, Brooks, Friedan,. Mailer." How do Jews act when they enjoy liberties that they never enjoyed before? That's the theme. They worked in different fields, barely knew one another. But a common generous egotism, etc. Best, David Denby
I'm a Canadian living in Quebec but I try to follow American politics. I have to disagree with your premise that voters have so much clout. I am noticing that the right to vote for some citizens seem threatened: limits and changes to the mail-in rules, pretty obvious gerrymandering, moving or limiting the voting boxes in some areas. Aren't there laws disallowing giving water to waiting voters in some states? What about the availability of the Souls to the Polls program? I dont understand the Electoral College at all, but maybe that's just me.
I am also horrified by the behaviour and rulings of the recent Supreme Court. Honestly, I think Americans AND Canadians have no protections from some very damaging potential decisions. The Court just made the president's power seem pretty royal.
I dont mean to be judging, but these are my very troubled and personal observations.
The Electoral College is certainly a troubling aspect of the American political system, but in Canada and Britain you can also gain disproportionate political power with fewer votes. The restrictions in some states on voting rights is also disturbing, though the ordinance against giving out water is more a nuisance than an actual infringement.
That’s the most positive spin on this current cycle of politics I’ve ever read. It left me feeling…hopeful.
Thank you.
Thank you
"But the real challenge to democracy isn’t intense division; its apathetic disengagement." Couldn't agree more. I appreciate all your historical examples, too. When people forget what we've been through as a country, they not only lose gratitude for current times, but actually are disrespecting our ancestors. I can't imagine taking over my husband or brother's job during WWI, keeping the economy turning, while knowing I couldn't vote.
Another historical example of intense, aggressive partisanship: When the South Carolina legislature declared federal tariffs on goods from Europe unconstitutional, President Andrew Jackson literally said that he would send the military down there and hang them (1830s Nullification Crisis).
We absolutely do know how it can happen here. Nearly all republics that turned into autocratic regimes once had a strong democracy.
Project 2025 is authoritarian by the vey nature of its unpopularity https://navigatorresearch.org/project-2025-has-become-significantly-more-unfavorable-since-trump-attempted-to-distance-himself-from-the-plan/. Its implementation would go against the majority of the nations wishes. Bad policy signifies fascist themes such as nationalism, suppression of women’s rights, erasing language, suppression of lgbtqia rights, swift restructuring of government, loyalty tests, militarism, religious nationalism, and the rhetoric of a nations rebirth all of which is in Project 2025, is fascist.
The entire project is based on the firing of civil servants & replacing them with loyal servants & creating a strong unitary executive - this is exactly what authoritarianism is.
I’ll leave 2 sources here in regards to how Donald Trump plans (beyond Project 2025) would lead us to an autocratic country
1. A political simulation conducted by nearly 200 former officials and other experts came to a worrying conclusion about a second Trump term. https://newrepublic.com/article/184344/heres-president-trump-run-roughshod-democracy?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaa69TBwcVIh1WIp7Lo4gpGgwdQVZF7qYxG0C42bf9b7Dl7uiHTefl_Wpgo_aem_uDTxZ2fO1hXzRK1yWElBZg
2. Authoritarian playbook for 2025
https://www.authoritarianplaybook2025.org/
There is no question that Trump is a threat to be taken seriously.
I’m surprised you didn’t cite Project 2025. If you are not sure how an autocracy could be achieved in the US, please see their blueprint. 900+ pages of details.
Much of that report isn't at all "autocracy," even if it is terrible policy. Strict immigration controls, mass deportations, closing the department of education may be objectionable but they aren't anti-democratic.
What about firing tens (maybe hundreds) of thousands of civil servants and replacing them with trump loyalists, making the DOJ an arm of the president for revenge and retribution, and installing the unitary executive? I guess their Supreme Court has already taken care of the presidential immunity, i.e. dictatorship.