By this, the first anniversary of 1/6, we have had ample time to process the range of reactions to the events, not just of that day but the years that led up to it - disbelief, shock, fear, anger and relief that we are still here. Most Republicans would like us to put the past five years behind us and "move on" and many people may be tempted to do just that. In my opinion that is not an option. As I have said in a previous post, 1/6 is as traumatic and memorable as 12/7/41 and 9/11/01, if not more so. Many would agree that we came close to losing all that we hold dear. Denying, forgetting or soft-pedalling that fact is what the people behind those events would like us to do. The oldest democracy in the world had a brush with death that day. To give credit where it is due, the action of Vice-president Pence in fulfilling his duty under the constitution prevented that from happening. The actions of most Republicans in several states where they are in charge since that day, however, are a clear indication of their intentions. Many Republicans said the right things on and immediately after 1/6 only to go back to toeing the Trump line when it became clear that the former president continued to hold sway over many Republican voters. Few Republicans have persisted in rejecting Trump and his baseless claims of fraud in the 2020 election and his instigation of the events of 1/6.
As the election of 2022 approaches, we middle-of-the-roaders must decide on a plan of action. While I refrain from making a blanket endorsement of Democrats, I feel that we must challenge the tendency of Republicans to have their cake and eat it too by paying lip service to democratic principles while simultaneously undermining them. I do not believe it is an accident that most Republicans now rarely spout off about Lincoln, Eisenhower, Reagan etc. Democratic principles were acceptable so long as the Electoral College and other quirks of the system allowed them to punch above their weight. They looked at the election of 2020 as a wake-up call. Their ability to fool just enough of the people just enough of the time was challenged by the decisive defeat of Trump and the loss of both Georgia Senate seats even as they were able to shrink the Democratic majority in the House. I propose a litmus test for the coming election. All Republican candidates should be asked during the primaries and in the general election campaign if they accept the result of the 2020 election. This is a yes/no question with no wiggle room for equivocation. The answer to this question will help me to decide who I am voting for. Their vote on the upcoming For the People Act should also be taken as a clear indication of where they stand on the all-important issue of voting rights.