Don't let them take your power
Don't leave it alone in the final hours
They'll take your soul, they'll take your power
The dark is out there
The light is going fast
Until the final hours
Your life's forever changed
And all the rights that you had yesterday
Are taken away
And now you're afraid
You should be afraid
Should be afraid
Long ago in a dream is gone
Someone said the dream is not over
The dream has just begun, or
Is it a lasting scar?
It is, unless you save it
And that's that
Unless you stand up
And take it back
And take it back
Don't let them take your power
Don't leave it alone in the final hours
They'll take your soul, they'll take your power
And take it back
Try to see the future
And get mad
It's slippin' through your fingers
You don't have what you had
You don't have much time
To get it back
Bring all of you together
Bring it out in a song
Bring it out in stormy weather
Tell them the story
I wanna tell 'em
This has happened before
Don't let it happen again
Don't let them take your power
Don't leave it alone in the final hours
They'll take your soul, they'll take your power
And that's that
Unless you stand up
And take it back
Try to see the future
And get mad
It's slippin' through your fingers
You don't have what you had
You don't have much time
You've gotta learn how to play
You've gotta make a change, you've gotta do it today
In the midnight hour, they'll slam the door
Make you forget what you were fighting for
Put you back in your place, they'll shut ya down
You better learn how to fight
You better say it out loud
The Looming Election Crisis: How to Preserve Democracy in the Face of Threats
The United States is heading towards what may be one of the most contentious and consequential elections in its history.
At the center of this looming storm is not only Donald Trump, whose lies about the 2020 election incited a violent insurrection at the Capitol, but also the complex dynamics of a political system hijacked by those willing to subvert democratic norms for power.
What makes this even more precarious is the potential for politically motivated rulings by federal judges, some of whom have been placed on the bench with ideological agendas nurtured over decades by figures like Mitch McConnell and Leonard Leo.
These challenges are compounded by the ongoing erosion of moderate voices within the Republican Party.
The Real Threat: Manufactured Outrage and Institutional Subversion
Donald Trump has demonstrated a remarkable ability to manufacture outrage, particularly when he perceives personal defeat. His “stolen election” lies in 2020 have become a rallying cry for his base, despite being thoroughly debunked in the courts and by his own administration officials.
It’s likely that Trump, should he lose the 2024 election, will again claim fraud and incite unrest, leading to another round of chaos.
However, the problem is larger than Trump. The Republican Party, as it stands, is no longer led by traditional conservatives like Liz Cheney or Rusty Bowers.
These figures, along with other principled Republicans, have been purged or sidelined. What remains is a party that has been hijacked by Trump’s brand of authoritarian populism, willing to defy election results if it serves their political ends.
The Electoral College, once thought of as a safeguard against demagogues, has proven itself ineffective in modern times. Instead of preventing the rise of leaders like Trump, it has contributed to their ascent by allowing for a minority of the population to elect presidents.
This misalignment between popular will and electoral outcome undermines democracy and fuels the very kind of discontent that Trump exploits.
The Judicial Threat: Political Decisions from the Bench
Another concern in this potential crisis is the federal judiciary, where over 1,200 judges hold enormous power to shape the post-election landscape.
Historically, federal judges have been appointed with an expectation of impartiality, but in recent years, many have been selected based on political and ideological criteria.
McConnell’s systematic reshaping of the judiciary has resulted in a court system that could very well play a decisive role in any election disputes.
One politically motivated ruling could throw the nation into "deep confusion," and given the unpredictability of some judges, this risk cannot be dismissed.
Potential Responses: Executive Power and Crisis Management
Should the election outcome be contested or if Trump’s allies challenge the results in ways that threaten the Constitution, it may fall upon President Biden and Vice President Harris to act.
The recent rulings on executive immunity suggest that sitting presidents have wide-ranging authority, and Biden may have the legal tools to counteract any unlawful attempts to overturn the election.
In a worst-case scenario, Biden could resign in favor of Vice President Harris, allowing her to take over and push through executive actions in the final days of the administration.
While such drastic measures seem unlikely, historical precedents, such as Lincoln's suspension of habeas corpus during the Civil War, remind us that in times of crisis, extraordinary steps may be necessary to preserve the republic.
Lessons from Abroad: The Case for Electoral Reform
As we watch the US teeter on the brink of another electoral crisis, it’s worth considering how other democracies avoid these pitfalls.
In Australia, for example, the electoral system is robust and fair, overseen by nonpartisan officials who ensure that elections run smoothly.
The country's use of preferential voting (which allows voters to rank candidates by preference) ensures that even minority voices are heard, while the full-term service of parliamentarians provides stability.
Furthermore, Australia holds elections on Saturdays, ensuring that working citizens have easy access to the polls, and community events often turn Election Day into a celebration of democracy.
Contrast that with the U.S., where elections are held on a Tuesday, often forcing voters to choose between work and their civic duty.
It’s clear that there are structural reforms the U.S. could adopt to make its elections more democratic and less vulnerable to political manipulation.
Solutions to Safeguard Democracy
The upcoming election presents both a challenge and an opportunity. To prevent future election crises, several steps can be taken:
Strengthen Election Laws: Congress must pass comprehensive legislation that strengthens voting rights, secures elections from tampering, and ensures that no political appointees can override the will of the people. The Electoral Count Act should be reformed to eliminate ambiguities that allowed Trump allies to attempt to manipulate the 2020 outcome.
Judicial Accountability: The judiciary should not be weaponized for political ends. Steps should be taken to ensure the impartiality of federal judges, potentially through ethics reforms and increased transparency in the judicial appointment process.
End the Electoral College: It’s time to abolish the Electoral College. A national popular vote would ensure that every American’s vote counts equally, and prevent the kind of minority rule that has enabled figures like Trump to rise to power.
Implement Preferential Voting: Preferential voting, as used in Australia, would help ensure that extreme candidates, like Trump, do not benefit from split opposition votes. It would also encourage more moderate and broadly acceptable candidates.
Expand Early Voting and Election Day Access: Voting should be made as accessible as possible, including expanding early voting, making Election Day a national holiday, or moving it to a weekend.
The U.S. finds itself at a critical juncture. With democracy on the line, every effort must be made to prevent another January 6th-style attack and safeguard the future of free and fair elections. It’s not just Trump’s lies that pose a threat, but the systemic weaknesses in the U.S. electoral process. We must address these vulnerabilities before it’s too late.
Sincerely,
Adaptation Guide
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