We see the President “playing to his base”, “whipping up his base”, and we have seen individuals respond with acts of violence, from the start. Even if we do manage to re-tilt the balance, to elect enough Dems to change the playing field, there are huge questions. My immediate concern is post-election security.
A decisive win in some areas will not, unfortunately, make that base go away. On the contrary, in many areas it will spur them to respond.
Can we contain the inevitable surge of violence that will undoubtedly be the response of a certain faction of his supporters- many of whom have come to believe that we “libruls” are in fact a lawless mob? Does the national security “apparatus” have the means, the desire, and the direction to protect people from mob violence? Or will it, as has happened, intervene to protect the instigators?
I fear that, while it may have the means to stave off some of the more predictable reactions, there are many in that branch of public service that would not have the desire. What I know nothing about is the direction. Very hierarchical services will most likely respond to firm orders well delineated, so if the right people do have a plan to contain violence and protect citizens, such services as the National Guard and the Federal Marshals could play a positive role. But is anyone planning for this?
Historically, balances have often swung on the actions of a few key individuals. Democratic Congresspeople and Senators do not have the power to direct these services, but should have developed relations over the years with key individuals. Is it possible that some of you reach out- and quickly- to people in a position to act? I fear we need a readiness plan, though I have no idea how that could happen.
Particular attention should be paid to the areas where there are strong militia or “white identity” presences. Many of these people have been whipped up to believe they must save the country from ungodly Democrats. There are large pockets of an alternative universe to be found in the woods of Michigan and like areas, in parts of the south, and also very strongly, in the western states. The ethos of the rugged backwoodsman defending his fief from the Feds is very strong there, and the Dems to them represent more Federal intrusion. The Betsy DeVos-style “Christianity” is also strong. https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/matt-shea-washington-state-liberty-744850/
This is a plea, then, for our representatives to quickly reflect on every possible line of communication to the key people who could determine the direction this will take. No-one will be able to prevent every act of violence, and I’m sure there will be some. But it could be possible to contain the worst- and to make sure that public perception gets a clear picture, not the distorted message that is too often allowed to prevail.