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kentuck

(110,950 posts)
Mon Sep 27, 2021, 09:51 AM Sep 2021

When democracy is gone, will you miss it?

Many people do not trust elections, and democracy is under dire threat.

Democracy is a very fragile system of governing to begin with. Nowhere is it written in stone that democracy will last forever. What will change in our lives when democracy is gone?

The "free market" system will no longer be "free". Products will become more scarce. Bribery and corruption will rule the marketplace.

"Free speech" will not be the same. There will need to be a seal of approval before some words are spoken or images are shown. An authoritarian government would put a clamp on free speech.

With modern technology, your freedom of movement could be greatly hindered. You could be stopped and questioned at any time.

Is this really what people want? Or do they think it could never happen?

13 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
When democracy is gone, will you miss it? (Original Post) kentuck Sep 2021 OP
Most people just meander through life not thinking of the bad things that can... TreasonousBastard Sep 2021 #1
We are seeing what happens when big lies are accepted - NewHendoLib Sep 2021 #2
It would depend on what it is replaced with Klaralven Sep 2021 #3
That is true, but... kentuck Sep 2021 #6
People overestimate the world's will to be free Johnny2X2X Sep 2021 #4
+1 😭 LiberalLoner Sep 2021 #8
Only 64% of democrats believe Voter Suppression is a problem (link) uponit7771 Sep 2021 #5
I will miss DU..... Bayard Sep 2021 #7
People on this site Elessar Zappa Sep 2021 #13
One will only miss it if they are not white. nt joetheman Sep 2021 #9
Citizens of Hong Kong seem to understand the importance of what they are losing Tom Rinaldo Sep 2021 #10
Life goes on. Empires fall, nations break-up stillcool Sep 2021 #11
Depends on who wins the Second Civil War. roamer65 Sep 2021 #12

TreasonousBastard

(43,049 posts)
1. Most people just meander through life not thinking of the bad things that can...
Mon Sep 27, 2021, 09:53 AM
Sep 2021

actually happen, while obsessed with the imaginary bad things they fear happening.

NewHendoLib

(59,940 posts)
2. We are seeing what happens when big lies are accepted -
Mon Sep 27, 2021, 09:58 AM
Sep 2021

If Watergate were to have broken as news today, Nixon would have been fine - it would have been fake news.

Sure, this all started with Reagan, but it went ballistic when the big lies and reduction of freedoms after 9/11, the lies that led us to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, were all allowed - the perps allowed to walk....it was all in a way a practice run for what we are seeing today. And today is a practice run for what could end up happening.

If I was 35 instead of 65, I would be scared shitless of this mess. There are too many root causes for why we are where we are - but certainly big corporate money in politics, politicization of the Supreme Court, and decades of right wing hate media bring us to this point - and social networking seems to be the catalyst.

kentuck

(110,950 posts)
6. That is true, but...
Mon Sep 27, 2021, 10:07 AM
Sep 2021

We see what is happening in TX and other states. It is very authoritarian in nature. It is not democratic or socialistic.

If the present environment is any indication, we are headed toward authoritarianism.

Johnny2X2X

(18,745 posts)
4. People overestimate the world's will to be free
Mon Sep 27, 2021, 10:03 AM
Sep 2021

The natural order of things is not self rule, for most of history large populations have had dictators/monarchies ruling over them. Democracy is not spreading right now, it's retracting, as it does when people don't fight constantly for it.

We're seeing democracies fall at an alarming rate worldwide. I think as a result of social media being weaponized to weaken Democracy by Far Right forces. Democracy is about to fall in Brazil, and I fear the US won't be far behind if the Republicans get their way.

Bayard

(21,805 posts)
7. I will miss DU.....
Mon Sep 27, 2021, 10:48 AM
Sep 2021

The great majority are complacent about democracy. Even with the steady march of authoritarianism, they think--it can't happen here. I'm afraid by the time they realize its already here, its too late.

Elessar Zappa

(13,650 posts)
13. People on this site
Mon Sep 27, 2021, 11:35 AM
Sep 2021

have been predicting the end of democracy for twenty years. People claimed Bush would become a dictator. We’re in a tough spot right now but we can still fight and turn things around. I’m certainly not giving in to the fascists without a fight.

Tom Rinaldo

(22,911 posts)
10. Citizens of Hong Kong seem to understand the importance of what they are losing
Mon Sep 27, 2021, 10:57 AM
Sep 2021

Americans have long been lulled into complacency. Funny, I was just listening to an old favorite album of mine; The Byrds Sweetheart of the Rodeo this morning in the car, and when the cut "You Don't Miss Your Water Till The Well's Run Dry" played I was struck by what a simple but profound truth that is.

stillcool

(32,626 posts)
11. Life goes on. Empires fall, nations break-up
Mon Sep 27, 2021, 11:28 AM
Sep 2021

out of the ashes who knows what will rise? Ends make for great beginnings. One door closes, another opens, but its hell in the hallways.

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