A premise for this experimental democratic republic, honored for centuries by liberals and conservatives alike, is that candidates and voters accept that candidates who lose acknowledge that loss and bow to the will of voters. This premise is now rejected by the Republican Party which clearly departs its conservative roots and has adopted the position that election outcomes are “we win,” or “you lose,” allowing no possibility of their losing and opponents winning. This compromises a cornerstone of democracy: “the peaceful transition of power.”
Of our American experiment, Benjamin Franklin opined that the constitution established a republic, but warned also: “If you can keep it.” Today’s Republicans have jettisoned the traditional conservative adherence to democratic principles and have committed themselves to thwarting the will of the voters if they don’t like it.
The January 6th Committee has demonstrated through testimony, largely of Republicans who maintain conservative fealty to democracy, that former President Trump had a seven-part plan to thwart the will of the people (cnn.com/2022/06/09/politics/jan-6-hearing-cheney-trump-overturn-election-plan/index.html).
Meanwhile, Jackson County Republicans (facebook.com/jacksoncountyrepublicans) proudly endorse the Big Lie and the ongoing effort to undermine democracy.
All local candidates should repudiate this anti-democratic stance if they wish to run on a pro-democracy, law-respecting, freedom-based ticket.
Alan Journet
Jacksonville
