Donnie Johnston has done us a service by raising a question many Americans are quietly asking themselves. I believe his thesis is a plausible one—not because we know what will happen after the midterm elections, but because responsible citizens prepare for serious risks rather than dismiss them.
If Donnie is right, our response cannot be fear. It must be preparation.
Preparation begins with the hard work of democracy. Democrats must stop fighting one another over secondary differences and remember that political parties are coalitions. Compromise is not surrender; it is how coalitions become majorities. We cannot govern unless we first win.
Winning requires more than hope. It requires registering voters, recruiting volunteers, supporting candidates, knocking on doors, making phone calls, contributing financially, and turning out every eligible voter. The larger and clearer the electoral mandate, the more difficult it becomes for anyone to challenge the will of the people.
At the same time, citizens should be prepared, if necessary, to defend democratic principles through large, peaceful, disciplined, and lawful public demonstrations. History has shown that nonviolent civic action can be one of democracy's strongest safeguards. Violence only undermines the cause and divides the nation further.
This is also a moment to remember that while only Americans vote in our elections, people around the world live with the consequences of America's choices. They, too, have a stake in the health of our democracy and may also demonstrate in support of us.
Donnie has warned us about what could happen. Our responsibility is not to panic over the future but to do everything within the Constitution to shape it. Democracy is not self-executing. It survives because citizens organize, participate, and, ultimately, win the public's trust.
Donnie Johnston has done us a service by raising a question many Americans are quietly asking themselves. I believe his thesis is a plausible one—not because we know what will happen after the midterm elections, but because responsible citizens prepare for serious risks rather than dismiss them.
If Donnie is right, our response cannot be fear. It must be preparation.
Preparation begins with the hard work of democracy. Democrats must stop fighting one another over secondary differences and remember that political parties are coalitions. Compromise is not surrender; it is how coalitions become majorities. We cannot govern unless we first win.
Winning requires more than hope. It requires registering voters, recruiting volunteers, supporting candidates, knocking on doors, making phone calls, contributing financially, and turning out every eligible voter. The larger and clearer the electoral mandate, the more difficult it becomes for anyone to challenge the will of the people.
At the same time, citizens should be prepared, if necessary, to defend democratic principles through large, peaceful, disciplined, and lawful public demonstrations. History has shown that nonviolent civic action can be one of democracy's strongest safeguards. Violence only undermines the cause and divides the nation further.
This is also a moment to remember that while only Americans vote in our elections, people around the world live with the consequences of America's choices. They, too, have a stake in the health of our democracy and may also demonstrate in support of us.
Donnie has warned us about what could happen. Our responsibility is not to panic over the future but to do everything within the Constitution to shape it. Democracy is not self-executing. It survives because citizens organize, participate, and, ultimately, win the public's trust.