The Passive Path to Democracy’s Death

The defendants in the 1924 trial of the architects of the Beer Hall Putsch of the preceding fall. Hitler fourth from right. (Did you need me to write that?)

Is it off-key to write alarmingly of the imminent danger of “democracy’s death” when, for the first time in five years, the United States is once again under competent adult supervision?

Joe Biden’s first hundred days have been startlingly aggressive (in a good way) in restoring the fundamentals of decent, Constitutionally sound governance. Not only has he re-established the rule of law, but the forward-thinking elements of his “New New Deal” have surprised and exceeded the expectations even of many progressives. I am cheered to say the least, and optimistic. Has he been perfect? Of course not. Damned impressive? For sure.

Joe’s poll numbers reflect it. In an era of hyperpartisanship, when the question “Are puppies cute?” would return a razor thin 50.1-to-49.9 result depending on which party proposed it, it’s clear that the vast majority of Americans — even many reasonable conservatives, if that has not become an oxymoron — support Biden’s agenda.

But while pulling us back from the brink, putting us on the path to national rejuvenation, and bolstering the chances that those repairs will endure by sheer virtue of their popularity, Biden’s success has also spurred the domestic enemies of representative democracy — which is to say, the Republican Party — to redouble their efforts to establish an autocracy under their control. That…