Some things I am considering as the midterms are nearly here:
1. Am I afraid? Yes. Anyone watching this shit show with an ounce of discernment must be afraid. It is being said that democracy itself is on the ballot, and yet we see otherwise intelligent voters snipping about inflation and gas prices, neither of which have anything to do with the policies of the Democrats in power.
Meanwhile, an emboldened core of fascist are making a serious play for control of the levers of power. Yes, this has happened here before, but not for nearly a century.
And this time it is objectively much worse. They have effectively seized the courts, including the SCOTUS, which is now an illegitimate body. But an illegitimate body with all the power it ever had. They can sink American democracy all by themselves, and are well on their way to doing so.
Also, in the past, the insurgents may have been organized and even well-armed, but they were not well represented in our federal government. Now the MAGA have a strong coalition in both houses of congress. That is why even when the Democrats are the ruling party they are stymied and defensive.
Even during the American Civil War, if the confederates had won, the result would have been a contained autocracy that would not have affected the rest of the union. It would have given us an offensive neighbor, but our system would have remained unchanged.
This is different. We have never been so close to becoming a fascist nation. When it comes to governance there are only two choices. A free and fair electoral system or rule by fear and force. That is our choice in these midterms.
But why should we be afraid? Because the fascist MAGA have been very busy suppressing our vote and lying about who they are and who we are. And they are supported in this by the parts of the system they have already subverted and by a corrupt and money hungry media. We can’t even get accurate polling information because the MAGA have flooded the zone with crap polls.
2. Am I still hopeful? Yes.
Because nobody really knows what is going on. The chest thumping of the MAGA means nothing. They need to make it seem like there is about to be a red landslide to hold up their lies about voter fraud when they lose. And they may very well lose.
There are MILLIONS more of us. Americans who are reasonable, generous, and in favor of democracy and the rule of law. They tried to suppress our vote in 2020 and we still prevailed and won by a broad majority. This election is similar in that respect. Most Democrats and independents understand what is at stake and are getting past any objections to the particular Democratic candidates in their races to turn out and vote blue no matter who.
This should be a hopeful sign. We really won’t know till the 9th. But we do know that getting out there and voting can change the story.
3. Even if we win the threat will not be over. This is going to be a slog. But if we win, we live to fight another day.
The SCOTUS is poised to deliver a severe blow if they decide wrongly in Moore v Harper.
And how much of the fascist threat that can be legislated away depends on the make up of congress after these midterms. We will need a much bigger majority in both houses to use that tool, and that is a tall order.
The DOJ as well will be hampered in putting down the insurgents if they have to deal with a MAGA congress, or even just a MAGA house.
If the tide turns in favor of our democracy, this may be over by January of 2025. Or it may not.
4. There is a small but frightening chance that the MAGA get both houses, which would trigger an immediate turn towards Christo-fascism. They already have the courts. If they get control of congress the executive branch will stand alone, and it just isn’t strong enough. But that doesn’t mean we give up. Just that we go underground. We form a web off resistance. The good citizens of Europe didn’t cave to the Nazis, at least not all of them. Instead they formed one of the greatest resistance movements in history. They did it and we can too.
Be of good courage my friends. Expect to win but prepare to resist. We are a good and generous people and freedom will prevail in the end.
BEAUTIFULLY PUT, AS ALWAYS BELS. "Christo-fascism." IS EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE DETERMINED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE REST OF US HAVE TO SUBMIT TO. I'M SCARED, TOO, AND I TRY TO REMAIN HOPEFUL, BUT FUCK, IT DOESN'T LOOK GOOD.
I read a post today elsewhere on Substack, on “Persuasian”. It discusses Catholic integralism (which isn’t exclusively Catholic anymore) - basically the desired re-integration of church and state to impose the “greater good” on society. It’s exactly what you’re so aptly calling “Christo-fascism.”