The Laboratories of Autocracy Strategy & How We Fight It

Monday, June 27, 2022

David Pepper: Most people think there is a single battle in politics in America. But I've come to the conclusion that the two sides are fighting such different battles, there are actually TWO battles. And for the most part, one side [the left] does not see that reality.

Posted by Gal_Tuesday at 07:08 AM | 8 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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Here are 2 short videos by the author to supplement your reading:

KEY WHITEBOARD

For all those who saw and shared my tweet thread yesterday about the two battles in politics, and why the extreme Laboratories of Autocracy model is winning, here's a short whiteboard explaining it as well.
twitter.com

VIDEO: the lesson of history couldn't be more clear. If you don't fight for democracy when it's under attack, you can lose it almost overnight.
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#1 | Posted by Gal_Tuesday at 2022-06-27 08:26 AM | Reply

MFT:

BOTTOM LINE: until the side on the left sees that it's in a full-fledged battle for democracy itself, requiring it to engage in the fight on the front lines (states, statehouses) where democracy is shaped, everywhere, all the time, w plans & passion that match that reality ...

that side is not going to win.

Yes. We must win every federal seat too, because they are key to protecting democracy.

But once you see the big picture I've laid out, you see what a disaster it is that for so long, we haven't focused on much BUT those federal swing seats.

Too many Democrats are big election voters, meaning we don't show up to vote in off-year elections and/or in state and local races. For many years I was one of those voters but I've been gradually improving my participation rate in recent years, and this year I did something I've never done before: I voted in the local school elections. I got several fliers in the mail from a non-partisan group explaining that Moms for Liberty, a Steve Bannon endorsed group, was running a slate of electors for the local school board. Oh, hell, no. It was time to get off my butt and vote (really) local.

#2 | Posted by Gal_Tuesday at 2022-06-27 08:52 AM | Reply

It was time to get off my butt and vote (really) local.
#2 | POSTED BY GAL_TUESDAY

And how did that work out?

In our last school board election, one right wing fanatic was elected, and one moderate was elected. Leaving our board with one moderate and four hard core Republicans. But this is a VERY conservative county.

I generally vote in every election I can. Have for years. But I'm skipping the primary this year because the only contested races are Republicans trying to out conservative or out crazy each other.

#3 | Posted by Whatsleft at 2022-06-27 07:45 PM | Reply

I read that there are seven TikTok dances to fight autocracy.

I think they're different from the dances that fight against authoritarianism.

But they might be similar to the seven dances that finally brought down fascism.

#4 | Posted by SheepleSchism at 2022-06-27 08:38 PM | Reply

That's why I voted in the republican primary, to try and support the one non-trumper. Unfortunately it didn't help but if you live in a conservative state and district that really is the best you can do.

Our state politics are so screwed up we have things supported by 80% of the citizens that can't even get a vote in our state legislature.

#5 | Posted by TaoWarrior at 2022-06-27 09:02 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

"And how did that work out?"

All the Moms for Liberty/Bannon endorsed candidates were defeated.

#6 | Posted by Gal_Tuesday at 2022-06-27 09:11 PM | Reply

PS If I hadn't voted and one or more of those hardcore MAGA candidates had won, I wouldn't have been able to forgive myself. I figured if I voted and they still won, at least I tried and made my voice heard.

#7 | Posted by Gal_Tuesday at 2022-06-27 09:16 PM | Reply

"David Pepper"

Does this man have a Ph.D perchance?

#8 | Posted by snoofy at 2022-06-28 05:25 PM | Reply