I've been thinking a lot about this interview. The way we conceptualize our landscape is very much shaped by our language. I think it's going to be helpful when Republicans who want to distance themselves from Trumpism are able to come up with a name for themselves as a cohesive political entity. Maybe they come over to being full Democrats, but it's arguably better if they remain distinct from the Dems. Perhaps they call themselves the GOP and the Trump wing becomes the GQP; maybe they all call themselves the Lincoln Project.... Whichever way it happens, having a name for this whole coalition will help Mr. Coleman and others distinguish themselves to the public and to each other. Trump has used in-group thinking for long enough that having some cohesiveness to other in-groups will help maintain some amount of plurality and provide voting incentive in the next elections.
Hear, hear. I agree with Mr. Coleman that the Republican Party is beyond saving. In fact, it's no longer a party or 'the loyal opposition'. Recent events and the conspiracy theory nature of the GOP has turned it into a grotesque cult-like movement which relies on falsehoods, disinformation and a propaganda firehose. You cannot reason with people when the other side is using a false template of reality.
For Republican politicians, there's a destructive cynicism that has grown ever more dark, a place in which nothing is more important than winning or owning the libs. But even darker are the anti-democratic, unAmerican actions Republicans have attempted to normalize--voter suppression, the endless audits of the 2020 election, the bigotry and fear-mongering, the lack of accountability, disregard for the rule of law, etc.
The solution? Americans need to organize and vote in future elections--2022, 2024 and well beyond--as if their lives and those of their children depended on it.
Excellent interview. What is so disturbing is that when feelings supersede fact and truth, the truth becomes a traitor. The Republican party has entered the realm of post-truth. Part of the reason why it is so hard to convince those who have embraced Trump's lie machine, that they are wrong is the psychological phenomenon known as the Backfire Effect. Even after being given corrective information that they are wrong, they continue to believe their original thought. In fact, now they believe it even stronger than before. It is common in conservatives but rare in liberals. This explains why so many believe that Trump actually won the election.
So heartening to hear a rational (though former) Republican speak truth. I only wish more people in that party could emerge from the spell they’ve been put under
Thank you Tom Coleman for all you are doing. And thank you RBG for a great interview. Also, since voting rights is a fundamental right stated in the Constitution wouldn’t these suppression laws have a good chance of being overturned by the Supreme Court?
Yes indeed RBG "Republicans are becoming the authoritarian party of America" and they are now codifying into state level law the ability to legally overturn elections that Democrats win. Over 150 scholars have issued a joint letter highlighting the threats to American Democracy and the Need for National Voting and Election Administration Standards. Here is the link: https://www.newamerica.org/political-reform/statements/statement-of-concern/
I've been thinking a lot about this interview. The way we conceptualize our landscape is very much shaped by our language. I think it's going to be helpful when Republicans who want to distance themselves from Trumpism are able to come up with a name for themselves as a cohesive political entity. Maybe they come over to being full Democrats, but it's arguably better if they remain distinct from the Dems. Perhaps they call themselves the GOP and the Trump wing becomes the GQP; maybe they all call themselves the Lincoln Project.... Whichever way it happens, having a name for this whole coalition will help Mr. Coleman and others distinguish themselves to the public and to each other. Trump has used in-group thinking for long enough that having some cohesiveness to other in-groups will help maintain some amount of plurality and provide voting incentive in the next elections.
Hear, hear. I agree with Mr. Coleman that the Republican Party is beyond saving. In fact, it's no longer a party or 'the loyal opposition'. Recent events and the conspiracy theory nature of the GOP has turned it into a grotesque cult-like movement which relies on falsehoods, disinformation and a propaganda firehose. You cannot reason with people when the other side is using a false template of reality.
For Republican politicians, there's a destructive cynicism that has grown ever more dark, a place in which nothing is more important than winning or owning the libs. But even darker are the anti-democratic, unAmerican actions Republicans have attempted to normalize--voter suppression, the endless audits of the 2020 election, the bigotry and fear-mongering, the lack of accountability, disregard for the rule of law, etc.
The solution? Americans need to organize and vote in future elections--2022, 2024 and well beyond--as if their lives and those of their children depended on it.
Because they do.
Excellent interview. What is so disturbing is that when feelings supersede fact and truth, the truth becomes a traitor. The Republican party has entered the realm of post-truth. Part of the reason why it is so hard to convince those who have embraced Trump's lie machine, that they are wrong is the psychological phenomenon known as the Backfire Effect. Even after being given corrective information that they are wrong, they continue to believe their original thought. In fact, now they believe it even stronger than before. It is common in conservatives but rare in liberals. This explains why so many believe that Trump actually won the election.
So heartening to hear a rational (though former) Republican speak truth. I only wish more people in that party could emerge from the spell they’ve been put under
Thank you Tom Coleman for all you are doing. And thank you RBG for a great interview. Also, since voting rights is a fundamental right stated in the Constitution wouldn’t these suppression laws have a good chance of being overturned by the Supreme Court?
Yes indeed RBG "Republicans are becoming the authoritarian party of America" and they are now codifying into state level law the ability to legally overturn elections that Democrats win. Over 150 scholars have issued a joint letter highlighting the threats to American Democracy and the Need for National Voting and Election Administration Standards. Here is the link: https://www.newamerica.org/political-reform/statements/statement-of-concern/