What happens to the Republican Party now? (7 Viewers)

Optimus Prime said:

…….The stripping of abortion rights is one clear indicator of America’s rising authoritarianism.

And Americans know that we’re in trouble. Voters – especially Democratic and independent voters – are aware that democracy is under threat, and perhaps even that trust in free and fair elections, women’s rights, and America’s democratic institutions are on the ballot this November.

While a whopping 71% of voters said that American democracy is at risk, however, just 7% named it as the most important issue in this election.

And that’s perhaps understandable. “Democracy” can feel like a big and nebulous thing, while a more expensive grocery bill is a tangible and immediate concern.

And Democrats have been telling voters (correctly) that democracy has been at risk since Donald Trump began undermining it.

They weren’t wrong to sound the alarm. But eventually even the loudest siren begins to sound like background noise.

There is also the simple fact that threats to American democracy will not be solved in 2022 alone.

What America is experiencing is a pervasive problem with rising authoritarianism all over the world. Often, autocrats use democratic means to rise to power, and their takeover is a slow one, not an overnight coup.

And once authoritarianism is entrenched, average citizens carry on – there may be an initial shock, but then life, for many people, evolves into a new normal.

We’re seeing this dynamic in real time when it comes to abortion. Over the next few years, we may see it on an even larger scale, and with democracy itself…….

Democrats’ midterms hurdle: Americans are getting used to eroded democracy | Jill Filipovic

While a whopping 71% of voters said that American democracy is at risk, just 7% named it as the most important issue in this election

www.theguardian.com

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Optimus Prime said:

…….While a whopping 71% of voters said that American democracy is at risk, however, just 7% named it as the most important issue in this election.

And that’s perhaps understandable. “Democracy” can feel like a big and nebulous thing, while a more expensive grocery bill is a tangible and immediate concern………

Democrats’ midterms hurdle: Americans are getting used to eroded democracy | Jill Filipovic

While a whopping 71% of voters said that American democracy is at risk, just 7% named it as the most important issue in this election

www.theguardian.com

Click to expand...

Optimus Prime said:

Very good article about fundraising emails/texts differences between both parties
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…….So what does all this linguistic fiddling say about the parties behind it? With just a few weeks before voting begins, the Guardian sorted through some of the most memorable messages of the 2022 campaign to shed light on the question.

Republicans​

For the GOP, it’s all about unswerving loyalty to the party – and to the great overlord, the chosen one, he who alone can fix it. He is not running for office this year, but his party seems unaware.

Text messages from the Republican National Committee dangle a wide range of perks: donate and you can be a part of the Trump Gold Club, the Trump Advisory Board (he undoubtedly takes direct calls from members), the Trump Free Speech Committee (I was flattered to receive an “EXECUTIVE INVITE” to this one), the 1 Million Trump Social Club, or the America First 100 Club.

Failing that, you can become a Trump Social Media Founding Supporter or get on the Trump Life Membership List (the messages do not specify what it would mean to be a lifetime member of Trump). Gifs of the ex-president often adorn the bottom of emails.

And if none of these clubs are for you, beware the RNC’s wrath. “Don’t you care?” asked a message on 30 June. “Our records show your Trump Advisory Board membership status is STILL PENDING ACTIVATION!”

This was just one of many similar messages that arrived after a failure to donate. In February, I was threatened with “possible suspension” – from what, I’m not sure – if I didn’t provide my “$45 payment”. Then in April: “Patriot! YOU NEVER ANSWERED!” (Capitals theirs.)

Later, things got passive-aggressive. “Do we need to talk, friend?” the party wondered. A few weeks after that, in May: “We’re not mad, we’re just asking. Why haven’t you pledged to follow Pres. Trump on Truth Social [his social media platform]?”……..

Clearly, the party’s marketing team believes donors are motivated by accusations of insufficient loyalty. In a March email describing the invasion of Ukraine, the party said a poll had found most Democrats would flee the country if the US found itself in a similar position.

“So we must ask: Would you fight for your country if it was under attack? Researchers need your response by midnight tonight. If you do not respond in time, we will assume you side with the Democrats who wouldn’t fight for America.”……

Democrats​

The opposing party is equally inclined to hyperbole, though it often takes a very different tone – one of vulnerability and occasional self-flagellation. “We’re downright BEGGING you,” wailed the subject line from a late September Democratic email. “Election day is 64 days away and we’re getting nervous,” warned a text early last month.

It’s really upsetting to have to send multiple texts and emails every day: “This isn’t easy for me,” wrote Joe Biden in April. A few months later: “I hate to ask.” (If Republicans’ word choice was occasionally odd, Democrats made mistakes of their own – this particular message suggested I “take a moment to read this email, and then chip in $0 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee”, which I did.)….

When they’re not PLEADING, Democrats, in classic Democratic fashion, struggle to get their message out. While Republicans spit out brief, simple messages, Democrats offer subject lines like this from April: “I hope you’ll read this long email about how the DNC is bringing advanced data infrastructure to thousands of midterm campaigns this year, and then consider chipping in to support that work.” What red-blooded American could resist?……

If Republican messaging aligns with Lakoff’s “strict father” worldview, Democrats’ touchy-feely messaging fits his description of the progressive mindset, which he calls “nurturant parent”. That’s the empathetic figure who “isn’t imposing on the child but rather wants to find out what you need”, Lakoff says. “For the Democratic party, democracy is based on empathy. Why would you have a democracy, you know? In order to help other people, to make sure everybody gets treated equally, that everybody gets what they need from the government.”

The “begging” and “pleading”, then, seem to be based on the assumption recipients wish to do good; describing nervousness and sinking hearts appeals to empathy. And Barbra, John and Martin are all just part of the family.

And what would a nurturing family be without guilt trips? Of course, Democratic guilting is more “have you forgotten the parents who worked so hard to raise you?” than the Republicans’ “if you don’t cough up now, you’re dead to me”…….

‘We’re positively BEGGING you’: how Republicans and Democrats demand money differently

Meticulously crafted campaign emails and text messages, with a heavy dose of guilt-tripping, reveal their parties’ worldviews

www.theguardian.com

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Optimus Prime said:

Another one
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we feel AWFUL for texting you so much... But we have no choice. We're OUT of time. No one is donating to help elect Val Demings!

Can you afford to give $10 (worth $20) to flip Florida BLUE & DEFEAT Marco Rubio?

CLICK TO DONATE: https://go.turnoutpac.org/102401

(please... we're DESPERATE!)

Progressive Takeover

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MT15 said:

I remember when Rubio wasn’t such an out-an-out liar. He lies a lot for someone who is always quoting Bible verses.

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MT15 said:

I remember when Rubio wasn’t such an out-an-out liar. He lies a lot for someone who is always quoting Bible verses.

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Optimus Prime said:

everyone who uses "woke" should be asked this, and the conversation doesn't move on until it's answered

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coldseat said:

All "woke" has come to mean is anybody that isn't Republican, racist, homophobic, sexist or boorish. Which means I'm very much woke these day.

Although I honestly wish I could go to sleep, these right wingers are exhausting.

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Booker said:

I've noticed that generally the only people that ever use terms "woke" or "the left" are right wing nuts.

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Optimus Prime said:

The right is very good at taking a term/phrase and completely perverting and misrepresenting it to the point the word can't even be used or discussed any more (political correctness, Critical Race Theory, Woke) and I'm sure others (you can argue the word liberal is in this category too)

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brandon said:

But MAN do they get mad that the n-word was taken from them.

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brandon said:

But MAN do they get mad that the n-word was taken from them.

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