Democracy is a fragile thing. It works when all agree to at least some rules of civility and honesty. Once one side starts egging on the mob against the other, once the demonization of a group of people becomes normalized, democracy dies.
The GOP has been degrading the discourse and normalizing violence for four decades, aided and abetted by the corporate media. Equally culpable, our “leaders”, who looked the other way and refused to fight back against war crimes, police brutality, domestic spying, and the erosion of civil rights.
What you are seeing today is a preview of election day. And Election day is our last chance to stop the final collapse. Trump and his ilk will NOT go quietly.
Turning and turning in the widening gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity.