NOT COMPLICATED — The Weekly Opine

Come next year in November, the names are secondary to the party. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Less is more

What’s at stake in the 2024 election could not be easier to understand. It’s as obvious as the 2020 election lies told by Trump, and then shamelessly repeated on Fox Lies. You do not need a map, a compass or field glasses to locate what the 2024 election is singularly about. Communicating the focal point of the 2024 election is doable, even for Democrats who often make a mess of communicating clearly and consistently.

The 2024 election is squarely about saving American democracy, even with all its imperfections. While I can relate to why people rightfully believe – from their own experiences – that America has not lived up to the lofty words in the Declaration of Independence, or the letter of the law outlined in the Constitution, next year’s election is not the time to sit out in protest. (Nor is it the time to make a “statement” by voting for rogue 3rd-party candidates.)

Focus on saving democracy and other issues will have a better chance of positive outcomes. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

The reality is, if you think things are imperfect now, just imagine life if a MAGA candidate is elected president. And I’m not just talking about Trump. Any of the leading Republican presidential candidates ascending to the presidency spells dire trouble for democracy.

Until the 2024 election is complete we must set aside that, even after 247 years, America has not always gotten it “right” and too often gets it wrong. But wrong under democracy is a whole lot better than wrong under an authoritarian, fearmongering, paranoid regime. Whether it’s Trump, or second-place polling Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, the two leading GOP presidential candidate’s behavior makes it clear the Republican base curries favor with sick-minded demagogues.

Don’t trust fake-Christian Mike Pence or which-way-is-the-wind-blowing Nikki Haley, either. Both have shown they believe the only way to win on the Republican side is cozying up to reckless MAGA politicians like Majorie Taylor Greene and Matt Gaetz. (As GOP candidates fear the MAGA klan, it’s reasonable to assume they are afraid of Russia’s Vladimir Putin, China’s Xi Jinping and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un.)

And if it means a chance to win the nomination, too many Republican presidential candidates are willing to dance with violent, seditious goons, such as those who invaded the U.S. Capitol. Nowadays, the whole of the Republican Party, with rare exception, offer vocal support for autocracy or remain tacitly silent. (Others are silent cowards, stewing but saying nothing as their party devolves into fascism.) Not a single Republican deserves our votes; not nationally, not state-wide, not locally.

Oh, say can you see? The right choice for freedom is obvious. (Photos credit The Weekly Opine)

Don’t succumb to relative irrelevance

Should President Biden step aside because of his obvious mental decline tied to his age? Obviously, Biden should not run again. However, Biden, or if it becomes necessary Vice President Kamala Harris, are light years ahead of any alternative on the Republican side. Considering what’s at stake, age and whoever is first in line to replace Biden are irrelevant.

Party is the only relevant thing. The names on the ballot are far less important than the party on the ballot. Up and down the ticket, a vote for Democrats is a vote for democracy (and the freedom to live your life) whereas a vote for any Republican is a vote for Nazi-style authoritarianism. Voting Republican is a vote for fascism and white supremacy. If Republicans win in 2024, America loses. It’s as easy to see as a full moon on a clear night.

Debating about Biden’s age, the future of entitlement programs, drag shows, even the war in Ukraine, all take a back seat until we take care of business in November 2024. The singular focus must be on saving our democracy which means voting exclusively for Democrats. Putting your head in the sand and going about, as if things will be fine, is foolish.

Because if Republicans win, you can cue up the band R.E.M., “It’s the end of the world [and America] as we know it.” That’s about as plain and simple as can be stated.