The Deluge

by Stephen Markley

She cautioned: “None of us have even stopped to ask, Can this plan survive? We assume the bulk of the American people will stand by it simply because it will arrest the crisis and contains material benefits, but let’s face it, our democracy hasn’t been one for quite a while. As evidenced by this very working group and the enormous influence of one of its members.” Ms. Li Song remained smiling pleasantly. The congresswoman continued: “We need a mechanism to put this to the people, to put it to a vote, while also ensuring that the most important provisions endure. That requires a radical expansion of our democracy.” The congresswoman’s demands, in return for Li Song’s, were: Passage of the long-touted chimerical legislation known as the For the People Act, a laundry list of reforms including expanded ballot access, automatic registration, elimination of voting restrictions and overt gerrymandering practices, and tighter controls on political money. It was first proposed by Democrats during the Biden administration following largely successful Republican efforts to rig the voting process in their favor.