Discussion: Democracy is on the ballot

Every election invites rhetorical controversy but some elections are more heated than others, especially those that augur change. Democracies especially fear the loss of democracy and, thus, accusations that opponents are a threat to democracy demand attention.
Is this a pivotal election? Is the rhetoric more heated than usual? Is it merited? Is our democracy under threat?

## Pro

The German electorate carelessly voted away its rights by electing the Nazi regime. Likewise, today, we see anti-democratic factions gaining popular support. Giorgia Meloni was recently sworn in as Italy’s new prime minister promising anti-democratic reforms. In the United States the Republican Party is running candidates who supported the January 6 Capitol Hill riots and who continue to deny the legitimacy of the 2020 election and who openly advocate stripping hard earned rights of citizens. These people are a danger to our democracy.

## Con

It is natural, even normal in politics to attack your opponents as “dangerous” and to bemoan their victories. But the recent rhetoric is over the top and is, itself, a danger to our democracy. Legitimate candidates taking legitimate policy positions are being denounced as Nazis or worse simply for opposing the radical agenda of the global elite. The overturning of Roe was supposed to ignite opposition to Republicans but it has scarcely figured in the election. Instead, people are voting their pocket books and demanding more control of their own lives and their own families. No wonder they are turning the panic dial to eleven.

https://www.rhetocracy.org/event/view?eventEntityId=1219284446328