| On November 4, 2008, the United States appeared to be shaking free from centuries of racism and inequality. For a brief moment, Barack Obama's historic presidential victory led many to note the victory of democratic values over segregation and racial anger directed primarily at minorities. Not everyone was ecstatic. As election results poured in, it immediately became apparent that the voting patterns spelled trouble for the Republican Party. Obama had captured a significantly higher share of the white vote than previous presidential candidates like John Kerry or Al Gore. Moreover, 66 percent of Hispanics voted overwhelmingly for Obama, not to mention 62 percent of Asian, 56 percent of women, 66 percent of voters under thirty years of age, and 95 percent of African Americans. Most important, however, was the black voter turnout rate nearly equaled that of whites. The only demographics John McCain won were elderly white and evangelical Christian voters. And here lay the problem: those sectors of the American voting population were not growing. Taking stock of this demographic apocalypse, Senator Lindsay Graham said, “We’re not generating enough angry white guys to stay in business for the long term.” The dawning of demographic extinction among the Republican Party has by far been the most important political event in the twenty-first century. It was more important than the election of Donald Trump, who was simply the result of the white angry and apocalyptic voter which consisted of a dwindling majority that took its frustration out on minorities in 2016. Another demographic that alarmed Republicans was the youth and relative poor who had joined the ranks of voters. Those making less than fifteen thousand dollars nearly doubled their turnout to the polls. Naturally, these new voters favored government oversight of corporations and the environment, making education accessible and affordable, and rebuilding the nation. Once it became clear that voter turnout challenged white angry and apocalyptic voters, the Republican Party devised new schemes to suppress minority voters. In addition to coordinating talking points with Fox News and Talk-Radio, the takeover of local politics, the gerrymandering of Democratic strongholds, and questioning the legitimacy of the voter base took center stage. Something else that took center stage was Shelby County v Holder. In a convoluted argument that twisted facts and ignored evidence-including historical realities, the Supreme Court struck down the 1964 Voting Rights Act protecting minority voters. States could now change voting laws without approval from the Department of Justice. Twelve years later the erosion of legitimate opposition has undercut American democracy, holding a majority hostage. Indeed, there are those in the Republican Party and wealthy backers that divide Americans, spin the truth, and embrace the politics of “anything goes.” There are also those that treat any opposition as an enemy, and differing ideas as traitorous. There are over 200 bills in the Democratic-led House of Representatives that would put many Americans to work with good paying jobs that rebuild the nation, make education accessible and affordable, and regulate corporations and the environment. The problem is a Republican and corporate backed Senate that is blocking legislation to provide much needed relief. In some cases, this white angry and apocalyptic minority kills. To be sure, the mass murder of 19 children and two teachers in Texas could have been prevented if Governor Gregg Abbot would not have pushed for legislation to lower gun ownership from 21 to 18. For its part, the Senate has repeatedly blocked red-flag laws that would have also diminished mass shootings. Meanwhile, some white angry and apocalyptic voters feel smug and vindicated regarding their attack against American democracy. This includes the rise in poverty and crime, mass shootings, and extreme weather conditions due to climate change. They point to prophecies in the Bible that foretell the end of the world which is preceded by war, famine, and death. There is little that distinguishes white angry and apocalyptic voters from fascist and totalitarian regimes. To be sure, the common roots of Nazism tried to silence not only critics and political opponents, but the population in general. Neither is it surprising that the Nazi’s White Master Race is similar to the Republican Party’s unspoken White Replacement Theory. Both used fascist tactics-banning books and viewpoints associated with liberals, demonizing and then imprisoning members of the political and minority groups, creating tiers of citizenship between members of the dominant racial group, and destroying democratic processes. The rest suffered suppression of individuality, persecution, and terror. Barack Obama’s election was a catalyst for a level of voter suppression activities and obstructionism not seen for years. Whether American democracy can rise above a white angry and apocalyptic voting bloc remains to be seen. Considering the corporate-backed mainstream media and Internet, the future does not look very promising. Dallas Darling (darling@wn.com) |