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hw's avatar

From my perspective, Biden's refusal to place his political capital behind hardening democracy is as key to his falling poll numbers as the schizophrenic media coverage. Does he really believe that infrastructure packages (in the unlikely event that BBB passes the Senate) will withstand unified GOP authoritarianism? A reelected Trump will reallocate funds at will...who would stop him? I support infrastructure, but it feels as though we're redecorating the house without bothering to fix the cracked foundation. It's demoralizing the Democratic base and allowing right-leaning Independents to justify returning to the fold to vote for GOP Congressional majorities. After all, if democracy is in such jeopardy in the US, wouldn't every effort be made to protect it? Wouldn't every recess be cancelled, wouldn't we see a full court press by the White House and Democratic leadership to warn of the dangers of authoritarian rule? If the public and the media fully understood the dangers, there might be time for a reset, but I don't see this happening. We already know that SCOTUS has plans to revisit libel laws...yet the 4th estate happily focuses on VP Harris' underwhelming first year. Passing 2 infrastructure bills won't save democracy, people will cash their government checks and vote down ticket for Republicans as they did in 2020, and without democracy-hardening legislation, Democratic turnout in 2024 will be abysmal.

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Jeanine's avatar

We are truly the weary warriors but what keeps a soldier going when exhausted and devastated? IDK yet I’m certain it comes from training and a bond of brotherhood instilled in that training. The focus and mission. Biden’s WH needs a democracy boot camp and an arsenal of willpower to keep democracy alive. First mission is to STABILIZE the Fort. SAFE AND FREE ELECTIONS. We cannot March into a battle knowing it’s a loss and causality waiting to happen.

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