Timeline: Saturday morning August 19, 2023
The biggest political story of the week just passed was one we knew was coming; we just didn’t know the exact timing of it. Yes, I’m speaking of the indictments in Fulton County, Georgia. Much has been reported – some of it even accurate – over the past few days. Many repercussions have already been felt, and many more are to be expected. (Hence the timeline.) Over the next few minutes, I’d like to share some of my thoughts.
The current GOP simply cannot win democratic elections, or at least not for much longer, under the current American system and with its changing demographics. Faced with those facts, the question becomes what to do. Especially from the party that always likes to talk about running government like a business, you would think they would realize that the market is changing and modify their product mix to accommodate the changing demand. Sorry to use all the business metaphors but that’s my academic training.
Despite coverage in the New York Times (to which I am a digital subscriber) and the Atlanta-Journal Constitution (which is one of the very good newspapers I seldom find the time to read) I missed this story until Rachel Maddow covered it on her show. My dilemma came when I had to make a decision whether to write about it for Wednesday’s publication (penned on Tuesday) or hold it for the Sunday article since I doubt we will have a more impactful and important story this week. I decided that since sunshine (in this case publicity) is the greatest disinfectant and there was still an (albeit slim) chance of stopping final passage I’d give the nod to Wednesday.
Today’s article will be short. It is primarily an open letter to the voters of Wisconsin. Its impact could well be national in scope. I know, I live in North Carolina where we are just beginning to feel the impact of having lost control of our state supreme court to right wing extremists.
Today’s posting is somewhat unusual in that it is primarily an open letter to white, rural voters. Statistically you vote overwhelmingly Republican. You actually believe they are working for your interests. You are deceiving yourself!