What if we lose? What if Trump wins and the GOP holds the Senate?

[Cyrano]

Yes, it's a horrifying thought. But what then?

It's time that all of us became students of history. In brief, there have been eras in which human beings were defeated by barbarism. And there have been times in which human enlightenment came to the surface and moved us all forward.

You don't need to look further back than the 20th Century to see that all of humanity was almost overtaken by fascism. It was beaten down, but not destroyed. It still exists today.

There's no guarantee that the next election will bring democracy back to America. Do you really think that Republicans aren't counting on gerrymandering, voter suppression, uncounted votes, "lost" votes, and so many other tactics to hold/steal the presidency and the senate?

And if they succeed, we can look forward to a warped, insane, fascist America.

So what do we do then?

For all the talk about another civil war, it ain't gonna' happen. There will be violence here and there, but it will be insufficient to overthrow those in power.

So let me go back to where I started regarding alternating eras of barbarism and enlightenment.

If, "if," we lose it all in 2020, we will enter a barbaric period. But that doesn't mean you stop talking about an enlightened society. It has been this way through all of human history. The word of a better way gets passed down from generation to generation. And, at some point, the masses have had it, and they overthrow tyrants. They reclaim their freedoms and their rights.

We may or may not see it in our lifetimes, but teach the next generation what it means to be free. Teach them about tyrants. Teach them about self-rule. Teach them about personal rights and democracy.

Hopefully, we won't have to endure an era of darkness. Hopefully, we will take back the presidency and the entire congress. And hopefully, if we do, we will have the wisdom to move humanity forward and end, once and for all, the gridlock that exists due to the never-ending battle between greed and democracy.

Perhaps our species is not there yet. Perhaps we'll have to endure another few rounds of autocracy vs a free people. But maybe not. It's all up to us.

[Doodley]

1. I will probably kill myself.

[diva77]

2. The only way "we lose" is if they succeed with their rampant election fraud. I think Dems don't use

the media as effectively as they could (of course within the confines of consolidated corporate ownership).

Why aren't Dems having a "daily fact check" press conference to neutralize Dump's red herrings, for example.

As for election fraud, we need even greater landslides this time to win by small margins.

[spanone]

3. The end of the good ole USA as we know it.

[Aristus]

4. Getting rid of 'both-sides-are-the-same' protest voters would be a step

in the right direction.

[yuiyoshida]

5. If we lose in 2020, the next step for California

Is to become its own country. We have the money, the resources to pull if off... and there will be sanctuary cities... in Los Angeles, San Jose, San Francisco and San Diego.

[DFW]

6. Welllll, my German residency card does grant me permanent status if I want it

But if Trump is returned for a second term and the Republicans hold the Senate, I may have it implanted just under the skin of my right forearm, just in case.

[doc03]

7. It could happen wasn't Bebe indicted and he

won in Isreal?

[Cyrano]

10. Most American Jews hate this outcome

And the donations to the Israeli wingnut factions are going to dry up quickly.

Sane Israelis are opposed to that nut as much as sane Americans are opposed to Trump.

[murielm99]

8. We keep fighting,

which is what fair-minded people have done throughout history.

Some of us may die. Some may go to jail. Some may live in exile.

[TrishaJ]

9. It means Trump will try to take total

power and the USA as we know it will not survive if the check and balances fail. I've been thinking about this, and the end result can only be a number of States declining to live under an authoritarian dictatorship and seeking to leave the Union.

In other words, Succession Version II.

[Cyrano]

11. Hard to tell what will happen.

The one thing we can be sure of is that the majority won't accept it.

I can't believe this outcome will come to be. But if it does, it will get very ugly very fast.

I wish I could offer hope regarding the triumph of justice. But I guess it doesn't help much if many of us won't be around anymore when justice gets here.

Such is the history of humanity on this planet.

[Tipperary]

12. It might happen.

So many here thought the idiot would not be elected. I remember all those posters.

[pnwmom]

13. He won't be able to pass any legislation as long as we keep the House.

And impeachment gets more likely.

[OrlandoDem2]

14. We lose any hope of taking the SCOTUS since RBG can't live forever.

We have a slight glimmer of hope if she hangs on for 20 months and a Democrat wins. Said Democrat will replace her and hopefully a con or 2.

[Cyrano]

19. Yes. This is the biggest issue of all

[Atticus]

15. While we're at it, what if an asteroid the size of Lake Superior impacts Kansas City?

What if Putin spikes all US drinking water with polonium?

What if scientists conclusively prove that Oreos and Cheetos cause cancer?

No offense intended, but I just don't see that anything productive comes out of such discussions and, for some, they may ratchet up already harmful stress levels.

[Baltimike]

16. The Russians interefered last time. They'll do it again. nt

[Nevermypresident]

17. Checks and Balances have already failed. If he wins in 2020, I have begun to think

about leaving the country. Really.

FYI, I have done my "Resist" fighting beginning the Monday after the inauguration. Worked hard re the Midterms. called incessantly my Senators and Rep, donated to Dem campaigns, etc. (wanted to protest , but couldn't find a single person who would join me except for the 1st Women's March...).

It took me until the first of this year to finally come to terms with my hope that "Mueller is going to save us" was a long shot in the current environment (only you and I are not above the law...doesn't seem to apply to trump and his corrupt minions). Then I hoped that we would bring impeachment proceedings in the House (after midterms) because we SHOULD. Then in March when Pelosi said he wasn't worth it, along with the fact that time is running out, that hope is dashed.

Bottom line, it was a punch in the gut when I realized that Trump will continue to damage our country, tear down our institutions, jeapardize national security, etc until this term is finished. I can not wrap my head around the possibility of him winning in 2020, hence my entertaining the thought of moving.

[0rganism]

18. i'll see you in Canada then...

feels like i should start applying for work and Visa already, but i'm still clinging to (probably futile) hope that Americans can wake up and retake our government democratically.