As you know, C.S.A. stands for the Confederate States of America, which was formed 160 years ago. Here I am raising the question of whether now in the 2020s the U.S.A. may be headed toward becoming the R.S.A., the Republican States of America.
The Forming
of the C.S.A.
In February 1861, seven U.S. states formed a
new “nation,” calling it the Confederate States of America. Those states were Alabama,
Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas. Four more
states (Arkansas, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia) joined the C.S.A.
later.
Back in 2004, Kansas University professor Kevin Willmott was the director and writer of the movie C.S.A. It was a “mockumentary” that portrayed an alternate history wherein the Confederacy won the Civil War and the Union became the Confederate States of America.
Although it is certainly not depicted in the
same way as in Willmott’s movie, American historian Heather Cox Richardson has
authored a book titled How the South Won the Civil War: Oligarchy,
Democracy, and the Continuing Fight for the Soul of America (2020).
I have been on the waiting list for a library
copy of Richardson’s book, so I have not read any of it yet—but I read her
daily “Letters from an American,” which can be accessed here, and have
learned much about U.S. history from her. (I highly recommend her daily
“letter.”)
As depicted both in the creative movie and the
historical book mentioned above, it is clear that the influence of the C.S.A. certainly
did not end with its defeat at the end of the Civil War.
The Forming of the R.S.A.?
The influence of the
C.S.A. seems to be “alive and well” in much of the Republican Party today. All
the C.S.A. states of the 1860s voted for Trump in 2016 and all except Georgia
did the same in 2020—although to this day Trump and a majority of Republicans
believe the election there was “stolen.”
This article is not a condemnation of the
Republican Party as such. The country needs a strong two-party system, with moderate
Republicans who are willing to work with Democrats for the good of all who live
in the nation—as well as for the good of the people of the world.
Oligarchy is “a government
in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish
purposes” (Merriam-Webster). Sadly, this seems to be the direction the
Republican Party has been moving, especially since 2016.
Thus, I am writing this in opposition to the
Republican politicians who seem to be greedy for power and willing to do
anything necessary to achieve or maintain political power, even if it means
largely destroying democracy.
Even though I think they are mistaken, we have
to acknowledge that on the other side there are many supporters of the
Republican Party who sincerely believe that the Democrats are “enemies,” and
that drastic means may be necessary to save the country from tyranny and/or
from “socialism.”
The power-hungry Republicans, beginning with
Donald J. Trump and Mitch McConnell, seem to have done a good job in selling
their skewed views to the Republican base, with the considerable help they have
received from Fox News and their “opinion-makers” such as Sean Hannity and
Tucker Carlson.
Through voter suppression, gerrymandering, and
voting results controlled by state legislatures, Republicans may well gain the
majority in Congress in 2022 and the presidency in 2024. Those victories may be
semi-permanent, leading to the forming of a de facto R.S.A., even if that name is
not used.**
So, What Can Be Done?
If we want the USA to survive and not
become the RSA, what can we do? Here are three succinct suggestions:
1) Keep advocating truth-telling, civilly opposing
falsehoods and misleading statements, always championing peace and justice.
2) Keep voting for political leaders most
concerned for the welfare of the populace, especially of those most oppressed
by social or economic discrimination.
3) Keep being hopeful, firm in your belief that,
in time, “The Wrong shall fail, / The Right prevail,” as expressed in
Longfellow’s Christmas carol.
_____
**
I hadn’t seen Republican States of America used anywhere until after I
had finished writing this article, but here is what I then found in a 5/7/21 Washington Post piece: “Trump has emerged from
his West Palm Beach hibernation — refashioning himself as the president of the
Republican States of America.”
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As usual for Monday mornings, comments have been slow to come in this morning. At this point, I have received only two responses to this morning's post, and both are from local Thinking Friends who are both women older than I. The first, who sent her email at 5:55, said, "I totally agree with you."
ReplyDeleteSister Marilyn Peot wrote more: "Oh, my! You surely help me learn history...but it is all so scary. As I speak to others there is a heaviness and fear among us.
I fear our lack of knowing history...and indifference regarding the Truth...and the willingness to get involved...will be working against us.
"Yet, I hear so much good from those who are committed and who know where their Power comes from. Do keep us abreast of reality. I believe you are one of our 'truth speakers.'"
I appreciate the comments from these two good friends.
DeleteAnd, Marilyn, I think you meant "unwillingness to get involved" (that's how I read it, and I am sorry I didn't make the correction before posting your comments here). Personally, I have the willingness to get involved, but no longer have the energy for much hands-on involvement. Yet, I do hope that through my blogging I can have some positive influence for that which is true and good and beneficial for society.
Thanks for your encouragement, for, indeed, I wholeheartedly want to be a "truth speaker." And in that connection, I hope that those who read this blog post will understand that I wrote it not as a Democrat but as a Christian seeking to promote God's desire for the world.
And then when I was posting the comments above, I received the following from Thinking Friend Glenn Hinson in Kentucky:
ReplyDelete"A very challenging blog, Leroy. I applaud your suggestions re a way to avoid further erosion of our democratic republic. The Republican or Trumplican Party poses a serious threat we dare not idly ignore."
Thanks for your affirmation, Dr. Hinson.
DeleteIn the first draft of this blog, I also lamented that the nation might even be moving toward the T.S.A., the T standing for what I was going to call Trumpian. But in looking at the "urban dictionary" just now, it seems the preferable term would have been "Trumplican," as you used it.
As you already know, I no longer have any hope for the USA in the near future. I choose to follow numbers one and two in your list of recommendations because I owe it to the people, especially the African-American community, who have kept on struggling for justice and equality since the founding of the North American colonies. But I cannot hold onto a hope I don't feel. I will stay in the fight doing what I can. The only hope I can muster at this time is that the wreckage that is the USA will not last very long after I'm gone and not cost as much human suffering in the world as I suspect it will.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your honest comments, Anton. In response, I will reiterate what I wrote in my 10/30 blog post:
Delete"To be honest, I am not very optimistic about this year’s pending legislation or about the elections of 2022 or 2024. But I am hopeful for the future." And, "Regardless of what happens . . . I will continue to be hopeful, believing that things will get better later, if not sooner. That is because I trust in the 'God of hope.'”
Indeed, things may not get better in my lifetime, or yours, but that is no reason to give up hope--or to plant trees that we will never see blossom and bear fruit.
I generally agree with your observations, Leroy, but my feelings reflect those of Anton. I am very pessimistic about the future in America of democracy, the rule of law, government transparency, honest elections, and the rights of women, people of color, and other marginalized groups.
ReplyDeleteI am also pessimistic about the future of our planet and the prospects for world peace.
We may not live long enough to see the worst of it, so I fear for our children and grandchildren.
Eric Dollard
Thanks, Eric, for also posting your honest comments. My response would be similar to what I just wrote to Anton. And, again, it is perfectly possible to be pessimistic (about the near future) and also hopeful (for the more distant future).
DeleteHere are comments by Thinking Friend Frank Shope in New Mexico. We first met many years ago when I was teaching (during a missionary "furlough") at Midwestern Seminary, the SBC (Southern Baptist Convention) seminary in Kansas City.
ReplyDelete"It has been my belief that the SBC has been trying to recreate the Southern life since its establishment. While committed to the mission enterprise and the effort changed my family's life, their desire to control God and his church and the Nation is obvious."
Thanks, Frank, for your comments. My next blog post will be related to what you wrote, and I may want to quote you in it.
DeleteYour mention of an emerging RSA is reinforced by this latest cover story of The Atlantic.
ReplyDeleteTRUMP’S NEXT COUP HAS ALREADY BEGUN—January 6 was practice. Donald Trump’s GOP is much better positioned to subvert the next election.
Thanks, Clif, for mentioning this and linking to it. Rachel Maddow talked about this last night on her program on MSNBC, and she interviewed Barton Gellman, the author of that long article. I had already planned to write about the dangerous assault on democracy in the U.S. (and elsewhere) for my Dec. 15 blog post, and I will surely refer to this article.
DeleteHere are comments received yesterday afternoon from Thinking Friend Jerry Jumper in southwest Missouri:
ReplyDelete"Oh my, brother. This truth-speaking is what is needed. Those who speak civilly and discuss matters objectively are currently being marginalized by the loud, hateful speech and actions of what I earnestly hope is a minority of Americans. Thank you for your boldness."