In the 2020 election, The Center for Tech and Civic Life, a previously small Chicago-based nonprofit, quickly amassed hundreds of millions of dollars it donated to local election offices — most notably, $350 million from Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan.
Where did that money go, exactly, and what influence did it have?
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It seems the important question about Biden is whether he can win, not whether he can lead.
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Democracy and its Enemies
January 6th was the day Biden kicked off his reelection campaign. He picked January 6th as it is the anniversary of the attempt of some enthusiasts to demonstrate in favor of Trump's assertion that the election of 2020 had been rigged. What looked like a riot to the whole world became, in the eyes of the press, a tipping point of near Gettysburg or Shiloh proportion. The Republic trembled and nearly fell before an assault of scores of unarmed citizens led by a guy wearing deer antlers.
If only Lee had known.
Let's say these misguided fools and the Antler Guy actually had plans of upsetting the election. It's a big country; how would they have done it? We don't know. But let's say they had some secret plan. How would you rate their chances of success? (Assuming the Antler Guy has some wonderful--if, as yet unseen--planning and leadership qualities.) How would they have fared? Against the Feds? The U.S. Marine Corps? 2500 SEALS?
On the other hand, what if the President of the United States promises 'fundamentally transforming the United States of America.' What if the President is so infirm that all of the executive decisions are deferred to a faceless cadre of unelected government employees? What if the national debt rises so high it destabilizes the currency, prompting an alternative world currency and leaving its citizenry impoverished and in despair? What if the integrity and safety of the country are threatened by hundreds of thousands of unvetted, illegal immigrants crossing the border every month with only cursory attention? What if the government becomes so venal, so corrupt, so insincere, and so inept that the people become estranged?
Which scenario threatens the democracy?
Democracy and its Enemies
January 6th was the day Biden kicked off his reelection campaign. He picked January 6th as it is the anniversary of the attempt of some enthusiasts to demonstrate in favor of Trump's assertion that the election of 2020 had been rigged. What looked like a riot to the whole world became, in the eyes of the press, a tipping point of near Gettysburg or Shiloh proportion. The Republic trembled and nearly fell before an assault of scores of unarmed citizens led by a guy wearing deer antlers.
If only Lee had known.
Let's say these misguided fools and the Antler Guy actually had plans of upsetting the election. It's a big country; how would they have done it? We don't know. But let's say they had some secret plan. How would you rate their chances of success? (Assuming the Antler Guy has some wonderful--if, as yet unseen--planning and leadership qualities.) How would they have fared? Against the Feds? The U.S. Marine Corps? 2500 SEALS?
On the other hand, what if the President of the United States promises 'fundamentally transforming the United States of America.' What if the President is so infirm that all of the executive decisions are deferred to a faceless cadre of unelected government employees? What if the national debt rises so high it destabilizes the currency, prompting an alternative world currency and leaving its citizenry impoverished and in despair? What if the integrity and safety of the country are threatened by hundreds of thousands of unvetted, illegal immigrants crossing the border every month with only cursory attention? What if the government becomes so venal, so corrupt, so insincere, and so inept that the people become estranged?
Which scenario threatens the democracy?
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