Ruth Ben-Ghiat: The GOP's violent rhetoric could make future elections much more dangerous

[Nevilledog]

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Ruth Ben-Ghiat
@ruthbenghiat
Authoritarian intimidation tactics: "A proposed Texas bill, now in committee, would allow poll watchers to enter the voter’s car during curbside voting, as long as another voter is present & the car holds 5+ people." From my @PostOpinions piece:

Perspective | The GOP’s violent rhetoric could make future elections much more dangerous
America is already prepared for the advent of a politics that depends on force.
washingtonpost.com
3:02 PM · Jul 8, 2021

https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2021/07/07/violent-rhetoric-elections-gop/

*snip*

When the goal is to engineer victories at any cost, anyone involved with elections can be in danger. Across the nation, election workers are quitting after being subjected to intimidation tactics. It will be important to find ways to protect them — for instance, by making such harassment a federal offense, as Congress does for many federal government officials — if we hope to preserve the integrity of our elections.

Polling places can be threatening environments for voters in authoritarian states, as well, and the GOP seems to want to make voting a fraught experience in America. Republicans have introduced 40 bills in 20 states in 2021 that expand the powers of poll watchers. In accordance with GOP-supported gun rights laws, these individuals would have the right to be heavily armed in many states, maximizing their intimidation value. In Texas and other states, poll watchers could stand close enough to “see and hear” voters and election officials. Another proposed Texas bill, now in committee, would allow poll watchers to enter the voter’s car during curbside voting, as long as another voter is present and the car holds more than five people.

Serving as an elected official also will become more dangerous. Threats against members of Congress are up 107 percent in 2021 as compared with 2020. The Jan. 6 insurrection broke many taboos in this area. Those searching to harm Vice President Mike Pence and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi clearly felt as if they could act with impunity, which is why they photographed and videotaped themselves storming the building.

The increase in threats against politicians also reflects the erosion of the democratic idea that the political opposition is legitimate. During the 2016 campaign, Trump and Republican officials didn't just contest Hillary Clinton's ideas, but also her right to exist in society, as “Lock her up!” became the favorite chant at Trump rallies. New Hampshire state Rep. Al Baldasaro and others called for Clinton to be executed by firing squad, and Trump suggested that “Second Amendment People” could act against her.

*snip*

[Solly Mack]

1. K&R

I think that's part of the intent - intimidation. Part of making it harder to vote.

[Hekate]

2. KnR

[Boomerproud]

3. Obviously that is their goal. Very little push back from what

I can see so far. They have always played the long game. We are a sick, apathetic country.