John,

Right now, there is an unprecedented crisis unfolding at the U.S. Capitol.
Demonstrators are overwhelming Capitol police after President Trump
encouraged them to go to the Capitol to prevent Congress from certifying
the 2020 election results. And they have succeeded. Violent protestors
have breached the Senate chambers. People are escorting members of
Congress and the press out to safety. Meanwhile, thousands are congregated
just outside the building, well within the security perimeter.

This attempt to overturn a free and fair election is unconscionable. 

As Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said from the Senate
floor today, “If this election were overturned by mere allegations from
the losing side, our democracy would enter a death spiral. We’d never see
the whole nation accept the election again.”

This is a full-frontal attack on our democracy built on falsehoods and
disinformation. It’s being called sedition, treason, domestic terrorism,
but we must call this what it is: a coup attempt at the U.S. Capitol — a
building and institution that is yours and mine — called for and
encouraged by the U.S. President.

The blame begins at the feet of President Trump, and his willingness to
shred the Constitution and rule of law in order to keep power; but it does
not end there. This madness is what happens when a political system ceases
to function because we have ignored its flaws for too long.

It’s what happens when deeply flawed election and campaign finance laws
fuel polarization, extremism and corruption.
It’s what happens when we rely on “norms” instead of clear laws to check
presidential power.
It’s what happens when digital misinformation is not sufficiently
addressed.
It’s what happens when democracy reaches a state of deep crisis.

While you watch this stunning and terrifying chain of events unfold,
please resist the urge to simply hope that things will improve when this
President is out of the White House.

These problems will only be fixed — democracy will only be restored — by
fixing the system itself. By changing how our politicians are elected; how
they finance their campaigns; how they are held to account once in office…
and how we ensure Americans have access to facts, not lies and political
propaganda that fuel today’s events.

Our work has never been more important.

Josh Silver & Joshua Graham Lynn

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