A lot of replies here (obviously from people not already aware of The Discourse on this point) were genuinely confused variants on "But why, they're right, that's a valid concern." Let me leave a short thread for future readers explaining why that stuff is always unwelcome on here. (1/n)
It's totally understandable if you're dooming about any facet of the American experiment right now. So your feelings are "valid" in the sense that they represent real anxiety, and I get that. But to vent that anxiety in other people's spaces is wrong for three reasons.
First, it's factually wrong. There will be elections in 2026 and 2028 under Trump, just like there were elections last year under Trump and during his first term. This despite one of the two major parties now harboring a lot of anti-democratic elements and ideas.
I'm not particularly interested in convincing anyone on this point and won't try, the future is the future. But if the left side of the political spectrum is still the domain of scholarship and expertise, take note that you don't find scholars and experts you worrying about canceled US elections.
Second, and probably most importantly, it's tactically wrong. "No point discussing political opposition to fascism, there won't be elections anyway" cedes victory to your enemies. It's defeatism and nihilism.
Finally, it's wrong AS A MATTER OF ETIQUETTE. Entering a total stranger's discussion and leading with your private anxiety is as off-putting in social media replies as it would be in real life. If you wouldn't interrupt a stranger at a party to announce that America is doomed, don't do it here.
If you are anxious and sad about the state of the world, that's fine, and there are plenty of strategies for dealing with that. But I think you already know that drive-by online dooming isn't a strategy. It's selfish and adolescent. It's a contagion that only spreads the worst of you, not the best.
Take a second and think before posting the easy Eeyore reply. You might have something substantive to say instead. Or, even better, you can say nothing at all.
https://bsky.app/profile/kenjennings.bsky.social/post/3mbuedepurs2x
Wow. What a committed dooner.
Since this very depressed person says they've blocked me there's no reason for me to respond to them, but if you're casually reading this I would like to point out that the poster demonstrates some dramatic ignorance about US politics. Specifically:
It's an unelected US Federal Attorney who is refusing to vacate their position. There is a federal AG who is a member of the President's cabinet, but the state of Virginia directly elected theirs in off-cycle years, and Democrat Jay Jones was just elected for a term starting Jan 14. It's entirely ordinary for the lame-duck incumbent to still be in their position, and even to be a bit of a nuisance on the way out.
Each two-year Congress starts when a simple majority of elected reps meets literally anywhere,.with the first order of business as swearing in new members and establishing the rules for the new Congress. There's very solid precedent for what to do if some don't show up or even if there are no house re-elects: the recent days-long impasses over Republicans picking a speaker, for example.
While MAGA does appear to be a fascist group willing to ignore rules, it's also one built on a theory of constitutional authority and American democracy. There is no precedent for them ignoring elections, even the ones they don't like -- just the various traditions and courtesies that are entirely outside the constitution. If Trump tries to cancel the 2026 or 2028 elections, expect that some currently-MAGA allies and voters would harshly react against them. (Especially with the already-apparent fault lines over the Epstein Files.)
I think that it's much, much, much more likely than civil war or cancelling elections to just expect the sort of harassment and bad-faith shenanigans that has already been done, both in pseudo-aoarthide states like Texas and in "purple" states where Republicans hold jerrymanderrd legislature but lose statewide elections.
You are of course free to make up your own mind and even be a doomer like @ChunkMcHorkle@lemmy.world . But I don't think obsessing over the eminent breakdown of American democracy is either health or useful.
Please for the sake of the rest of the world just collapse already, this farce is getting pathetic. And preblaming "doomers" is laughable.
Trump thanks you for your dedicated service.
Not american, not a trump fan. You had and have your chance to fix things, but if placing everyone you talk to into one of two camps helps you sleep at night who am I to judge.
Oh wait, I am fully capable of that, hope you have insomnia instead.
It's not about if you're a fan. You're helping him with your extreme doomerism. You're one of the ones he was talking about when he said he loves the uneducated.
No, that is not the case. You can say what you want but I am not part of your circus, we just watch and wonder how you all can do it.