Are elections suddenly legitimate, despite irrational, “rigged” whining? Only until MAGA loses.
Here’s an essay and a satiric poem, one for discussion, the other for fun.
The total silence on the constantly guaranteed “stolen election” is deafening. By mutely defaulting to favorable election results, Trump puts a stake in the heart of his most cynical, dangerous, revealing lie. The ludicrous Big Lie jig is up – BUT ironically that could help renew faith in election integrity, a rare post-election positive. But that won’t deflect the battle royale between aggrieved, strongman vengeance and besieged democracy, if not justice and the rule of law.
When else has any known politician trumpeted forth its own unChristian, anti-democratic retribution crusade? By accepting what just weeks ago he maligned as totally dishonest, Trump wins the prize for the most exposed hypocrite in American politics. Not only does silent endorsement of the same, 2020 election-ruled outcomes negate years of Big Lie hokum, he exposes his core commitment to the cruelest, nastiest stunt politics on record. Only those oblivious to the letter and spirit of our Constitution, if not election law, would dare posit that elections are legit only when the loudest, impulse-driven criminal wins.
Above all, baseless election defiance reflects cosmic contempt for what holds any democracy together, majority rule, and the sovereignty of citizens for self-rule (even blunders that empower a twice-impeached, scandalized and disgraced Trump only out for himself). And that was before Jan. 6 and indefensible deaths and injuries, direct offspring of election denial, then that tsunami of personal indictments, plus scandalous jail time for slews of ex-advisers and election fraudsters. Historians will have a field day explaining how so many voters misread their own history, values, and interests – let alone the paramount importance of law.
What, an election without deafening tantrums?
Yes, a few GOP losers are whining about recounts, but crazies like Kari Lake are pipsqueaks on the national scene. When has this loser ever won an election? Reality speaks: conventional elections work as designed, deciding who rules, fostering peaceful transfers of power and continuity across American democracy since the beginning (except for deviant Civil War seditionists – and look how that turned out).
Not throwing a shit-fit when rejected, no doubt inevitable had a few more million Harris Democrats bothered to vote, is a modest relief when silence speaks volumes. So far, no polling workers were killed; no voters were assaulted; and no election officials were abused. How nice when ignored positive news keeps flowing.
We can waste hours mulling over Trump’s worst lie – with infinite choices – and another deluge to come. Gosh, what are the odds this lame duck president won’t have to lie every day? Infinitesimal. As experts in authoritarian (and fascist) history teach, the strongman in love with his own power forever needs enemies, both face-to-face and looming with bared teeth. Enamored of foreign menaces, how else can he justify bombing domestic government agencies without “enemies within” to hate? Endless phantom threats demand endless, cynical deceptions, with little care for serious fallout. Trump will talk up “deep state” maladies he must reform, but the chance of breaking up the marriage of crony capitalism with an imperial, militarized foreign policy is no greater than Donald admitting error and taking any responsibility for predictable screw-ups.
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Election denial – and the implicit coverup of contradictions
What a shock, to swear off Big Lies –
For Trump’s gain instantly certifies.
When hypocrites demean what’s legit,
That only proves they’re full of shit.
To advance beyond shock and awe,
Entrapped again by the Trump guffaw,
To know which chicanery matters,
Watch creepy, scornful MAGA swagger.
When Trump wins,“fair” elections must count,
With zero whining shrieks to recount.
When real ‘mericans vote true-blue,
No need for sleazy, perverse voodoo.
Learn from cosmic contradictions
That unveil laughable fictions;
When naked grift is unclothed,
The gig is up, foul lies exposed.
Yet ripples carry modest good news
For those suffering MAGA blues;
Don’t outcomes now, verified by god,
Reinforce reams of past Trump fraud?
So now stock election rules decide,
So now state counters are deified!
When lawful elections prove who won
What’s right for all is right for one.
So banish all the fraudulent hype,
We now count votes sans fraud or gripe;
Hurrah, election laws are bona fide –
Too bad for J6 victims who died.
That makes 2020 legitimate,
And insurrectionists incriminate;
Now clear: needless, incited violence
Lacks any plausible moral defense.
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