US democracy is about to die

[StandFirm]

... So many indicators for this, the most recent is Trump calling for the DoJ to go after his enemies:

Dear American friends, I hope you find a peaceful way out of this. As for us here, I can only hope we keep the contagion at bay.

You think Canada, the EU, and Australia are going to form some grand alliance and stand up to the U.S.? With what army? With what leverage? The EU can’t even keep itself together, Australia is too reliant on American defense, and Canada well, Canada needs the U.S. more than the U.S. needs Canada. As for China, sure, they’ll play the game but they don’t care about “counterbalancing” Trump. They care about winning, and they’ll do it in whatever way benefits them, not some fantasy coalition of democracies holding hands.

And tariffs? Yes, they hurt American consumers
but you know who they really hurt? Smaller economies that don’t have the power to push back. Trump doesn’t care about economic pain he thrives on chaos. And markets? Markets hate instability, sure but they hate weakness even more. They’ll bet on the strong horse every time.

@Pairymoppins I do agree that Trump's actions will ultimately weaken America's economic strength and power, and hasten the demise of the 'American Empire'. But an awful lot of harm can be wrought in the meantime.

China has been steadily expanding the organisation of the BRICS countries and building alliances across the globe, precisely in order to sidestep the US grip on the global economy.

I don't think China would mind if they were able to maintain their zones of influence whilst the US holds onto others.

Ironically, it's what Americans chose.

It's not like this was some covert secret. Trump tried to steal the 2020 election by setting an angry mob on the Capitol (and some of those who participated were plotting, and conviced for, seditious conspiracy - which Trump made clear he'd pardon). They know he's more prepared this time.

For whatever reason, Americans looked at their constitution and thought "that's enough of that" and thought they'd rather have King Donald.

Why would Trump want to enforce martial law? What would he or America gain from that? (Genuine question.)

@SwerveCity

From Wikipedia:
Martial law is the replacement of civilian government by military rule and the suspension of civilian legal processes for military powers. Martial law can continue for a specified amount of time, or indefinitely, and standard civil liberties may be suspended for as long as martial law continues.

Without courts to check his power he can do what he likes to people and organisations he dislikes.

He and his supporters would gain exponentially more power and control.

This thread is bonkers. You all need to get some fresh air & touch grass

StandFirm · Today 14:47

But that would be a guaranteed path towards a civil war. I certainly hope that's not the way things will pan out.

Have you seen Civil War (Kirsten Dunst)? Frightened the life out of me.

YANBU whether or not he manages it it's clear what his agenda is.

JFC take a day off 🥱 Is there a single thread on here that someone does pop up talking about gender neutral bathroom or women's sports? Some people make that issue their entire personality.

Israel has the Devil's Advocate Unit

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil%27s_Advocate_Unit

It's role is basically to play Devil's Advocate, to question common assumptions and to propose unlikely scenarios.

I hope the UK and other Governments have similar - "What if the USA turns out not to be our ally?"

It really is a very strange time to be alive.

No, I don't think US Democracy is about to die.

The Democratic Party on the other hand ....

In a few months time, it's going to be the 80th Anniversary of the end of WW2 in Europe followed closely by VJ Day,

When Allies fought together to protect democracy.

It's going to be a very strange event given what's happening at the moment

I think they'll likely still have some sort of an election in 2028, it just either won't be free and fair or the results of it won't be respected (basically, what he tried to do last time, but this time with far more preparation).

What remains of the free world really needs to cease relying in American tech and military equipment, ASAP.

I hadn't actually seen that the Trump administration just ignored a court order and carried on with deportations regardless.

So, there you have it. Checks and balances only worked for so long as people in office were willing to respect them. We now have confirmation, were it still needed, that the Executive will no longer respect the Judiciary.

So weird that Americans chose to flush their democracy down the shitter for some mentally deficient reality TV star.

For anyone else who had missed it:

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp9yv1gnzyvo

That is one dead democracy.

This 100%.

Power and money. A tale as old as time

There’s a politics board for this sort of thing. Most people don’t want to see it on AIBU and you should respect that

Just pretend the OP phrased it as "AIBU or is US democracy about to die", all sorted.

You could just scroll past

Just hide it away and don't talk about it.....

Democracy will always be under threat in the US, as Judges are political appointments. You need an Independant judiciary if democracy is ever to be protected.

Presumably you're white?