The rest of the World looks at America as an example...

[kentuck]

...of how a democracy can be destroyed in a few simple steps.

First of all, the voters grow disenchanted and begin to follow divisive, dishonest, autocratic-like leaders. Selfish, irresponsible Americans are easily led astray with lies and propaganda.

Secondly, they see a crisis, such as a pandemic, as an opportunity to consolidate political control. They put Party loyalists into all the important positions of government.

Thirdly, they divide the nation into camps, or Parties. Each of them demonizes the other until all communication is shut down.

Lastly, the political system breaks down and violence spreads, as goods and supplies become limited.

Is America on this path? I'm sure some of our allies probably think so.

[MiHale]

1. Plus no accountability for obvious crimes...

Shakes belief in the justice system.

[kentuck]

2. The failure of justice...

...to apply the laws equally and fairly destroys faith in the system.

[Wounded Bear]

3. Really, it's just following the Authoritarian's Handbook...

the specific tools used may differ, based largely on new technologies, but the overall strategy always seems to follow those tried and true steps. It has been working for literally thousands of years.

And yes, America has been on this path for quite some time. The Repub party, knowing it has been losing the demographic battle, has been more and more following the playbook. Trump was just the culmination of years of the authoritarian drift of the right in America.

[Ron Green]

4. Start out in 1800 with the greatest layer of topsoil the world has ever known

And end up with unaffordable health care, no viable rail system, massive homelessness, the most bloated military in history, and incoherent responses to a global pandemic and a gasoline shortage.

Along the way, we saved Europe from Hitler and gave the world significant music and Hollywood films.

That’s some kind of example, I guess.

[CrackityJones75]

5. I am confused

I am confused.... Did we not win the presidency and the senate?

To say that we are a example of how a democracy dies is bullshit. It is defeatist garbage. Our democracy is and will always be under attack. It is up to “We the People” to ensure that it remains intact. There are people that will try to stop democracy and that has and always will be true. Also, as much as I dislike conventional conservative policy I wouldn’t make the mistake of characterizing that as anti-democracy. The vast majority of what todays republican party is? Sure I would say their gameplan is undermining our democracy but to say it is dead? I don’t think so.