Once the primaries are over, we can’t let our search for purity render us so apathetic that only the lunatics and fanatics decide elections.
The future of any constitutional republic has always been dependent on the electorate’s involvement and turnout. Due to rampant voter apathy, the world’s oldest constitutional republic, the United States, is rapidly approaching a crossroads that will determine whether its future will be one of chaos and upheaval or liberty and freedom.
Three centuries ago, a prescient Charles-Louis de Montesquieu (1689-1755), a French political philosopher whose writings and insights into the separation of powers, checks and balances, and the nature of republics profoundly shaped the U.S. Constitution, foresaw the dire impact of voter apathy when he wrote in his seminal work, The Spirit of the Laws, “The tyranny of a prince in an oligarchy is not so dangerous to the public welfare as the apathy of a citizen in a democracy.”
Montesquieu understood that in any democratic society, the citizenry’s active involvement and interest are essential to prevent democratic principles from being eroded and to stop the rise of factions determined to overthrow the government. The tyranny of an established monarchy, oligarchy, or dictatorship is overt and there for all to see, whereas citizens in a democracy who are indifferent, complacent, or disinterested in the vital role the electorate plays in the democratic process are the silent co-conspirators in the rise of tyranny and the betrayal of their fellow citizens.
The meteoric rise of the virulently anti-American Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and their subsequent takeover of the Democrat party is a prime example of Montesquieu’s prophetic observation.
The DSA’s foundational strategy in taking over the Democrat party is to exploit voter apathy to win primaries in heavily Democrat districts and states, knowing the winning candidate will either be a DSA disciple or someone the DSA can easily intimidate. That strategy became clear eight years ago after the unexpected win by their fellow traveler, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
The Primary elections are the best chance for voters to implement term limits…but other candidates from the same party need to run!
Current;y, once the primary races are decided, the voters are left with: the incumbent that just wants to stay in office; or the candidate from the other party that would undo what your elected representative previously accomplished!