A lot of replies here (obviously from people not already aware of The Discourse on this point) were genuinely confused variants on "But why, they're right, that's a valid concern." Let me leave a short thread for future readers explaining why that stuff is always unwelcome on here. (1/n)
It's totally understandable if you're dooming about any facet of the American experiment right now. So your feelings are "valid" in the sense that they represent real anxiety, and I get that. But to vent that anxiety in other people's spaces is wrong for three reasons.
First, it's factually wrong. There will be elections in 2026 and 2028 under Trump, just like there were elections last year under Trump and during his first term. This despite one of the two major parties now harboring a lot of anti-democratic elements and ideas.
I'm not particularly interested in convincing anyone on this point and won't try, the future is the future. But if the left side of the political spectrum is still the domain of scholarship and expertise, take note that you don't find scholars and experts you worrying about canceled US elections.
Second, and probably most importantly, it's tactically wrong. "No point discussing political opposition to fascism, there won't be elections anyway" cedes victory to your enemies. It's defeatism and nihilism.
Finally, it's wrong AS A MATTER OF ETIQUETTE. Entering a total stranger's discussion and leading with your private anxiety is as off-putting in social media replies as it would be in real life. If you wouldn't interrupt a stranger at a party to announce that America is doomed, don't do it here.
If you are anxious and sad about the state of the world, that's fine, and there are plenty of strategies for dealing with that. But I think you already know that drive-by online dooming isn't a strategy. It's selfish and adolescent. It's a contagion that only spreads the worst of you, not the best.
Take a second and think before posting the easy Eeyore reply. You might have something substantive to say instead. Or, even better, you can say nothing at all.
https://bsky.app/profile/kenjennings.bsky.social/post/3mbuedepurs2x
The entire point of saying there won’t be (fair) elections is to plan what the fuck to do it that proves true.
God damn these people for blocking those on their side because they aren’t saying what they want to hear.
There are plans in place to split this country and to destroy 100 million Americans.
Doomerism is burying your damn head in the sand and pretending they aren’t legally starting to set up their split in LAW (which they are starting with Texas right now). Come on!
Blocking anyone for disagreeing with your point of view is such narcissistic and self-important behavior that only serves to show that you are not prepared to actually stand up for your beliefs and that the purpose of your online discourse is to create a masturbatory safe space for people to jerk each other off without opposition. I hate that it's a function and that it's being weaponized, it's quite literally cancel culture.
The US ruling class and the economic elite sided with a psycho they could no longer control, but kept doubling down and down.
They made the same mistake elites were making for ages across the world. Wonder where this mistake will make the US go?