Democracy is on the rope around the world right now.
It’s being pummeled by racist billionaires whose obscene wealth is being used to bully the most marginalized, purchase politicians, and erode regulations.
It’s being cut and bled by right-wing authoritarians who want to create a delusional utopia where their preferred tribe sits on top as the rest of us are expected to be eternally grateful for being allowed to stay in countries that are our home.
It’s being fooled and deceived by a corporate media that sanewashes hate, criminality, and extremism for the sake of profits, access, and ratings.
It’s being defended, allegedly, by milquetoast stewards who would trade progress, reform, and justice for comfort, civility, and restoration in honor of a glorious past in which the poor, workers, and people of color were still fighting for true equality.
In less than two weeks, the world’s most powerful country and promoter of democratic values will be led by a criminal vulgarian whose entire life is an affront to such lofty ideals. Donald Trump ascends to the White House through a flawed democratic system in which he barely won through a plurality of votes and thanks to weakened institutions that failed to restrain or hold accountable the same man who incited a violent insurrection against our free and fair elections.
If you were watching this beatdown, you’d be wise to move all your chips, or Bitcoin, into the center and bet on democracy collapsing before the bell.
However, Ian Bassin, co-founder of Protect Democracy, a non-partisan, non-profit group dedicated to defeating authoritarianism and building more resilient democratic institutions, believes we shouldn’t throw in the towel just yet.
I spoke to Bassin a few months ago as both of us hoped that enough Americans would come to their senses and vote for Kamala Harris, at the very least to avoid the trainwreck of a Trump II Administration. Unfortunately, we can’t have nice things in this country due to the “economic anxiety” of some Americans who also suffer from amnesia.
I reached out to Bassin again this week to give a clear-eyed analysis of the many challenges that lie ahead for our beleaguered country and chart a course where the rest of us can do our part to not only resist but also create a more just, equitable, and fair democracy that reforms existing injustices and allows us to truly live in a free country.
Grab a chai, give us a listen, and get ready for the work and long walk ahead.
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