Although bipartisan majorities in both chambers of Congress voted to affirm that Trump engaged in insurrection during his second impeachment, our democratic institutions seem paralyzed to do anything about it.
By the slimmest of partisan margins (214-213), and with scant evidence of “high crimes or misdemeanors,” the Republicans in the U.S. House did vote to impeach a Cabinet secretary, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, for the first time in 150 years. A big example of hyperpartisanship as they concede no high crimes and misdemeanors, he simply followed laws they disagree with.
Our greatest leaders foresaw the dangers that now gather all around. Indeed, in his farewell address, Founding Father George Washington presciently warned that partisan tribalism could be the nation’s undoing. “The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge … is itself a frightful despotism,” he continued.
He foresaw that extreme partisanship and division could paralyze our government and render it dysfunctional, intensifying a downward spiral of public cynicism and disgust that ultimately undermines the system of republican democracy our founders worked so hard to design.
“This leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism,” Washington said, noting that “the disorders and miseries which result” could “incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual.”
He said: “Sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purpose of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty.”
Each week in Washington, D.C., provides more evidence that we are in a race against time to forestall that decline into irreversible tribalism, a trend that extends beyond any particular political figure. Progress has been made, however, in reforming the election system that has fueled such cynicism and dysfunction by rewarding hyper-partisanship.
Several states have begun implementing new election systems that deemphasize or eliminate partisan primaries which allow the most extreme factions in our politics to have outsized influence over election outcomes. Other states have changed the general election rules to require successful candidates to earn support from a majority of voters, rather than relying on a simple, ideologically zealous plurality. Still, others have focused on anti-gerrymandering reforms to create nonpartisan voting districts that do not unfairly favor one party over the other.
Yet those invested in the status quo or enabled by partisan dysfunction and voter cynicism continue to place barriers in the path of reform. They are betting that if the reform process can be slowed, they can maintain their personal or partisan advantages. Sadly, that also means it will not bring benefits fast enough to win back public faith and put our democracy on a more sustainable path in the near term.
Republicans stroke hyperpartisanship, which is leading to their inability to govern in the House and inability to pass bipartisan legislation. Trump has announced his plans, as George Washington foresaw, for a more formal and permanent despotism if he wins another term. Too many fanatics support this. If only they would not continue to oppose efforts to reduce hyperpartisan elections.
Adapted from GLENN NYE III:
https://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/4479099-todays-hyper-partisan-tribalism-was-our-first-presidents-worst-nightmare/ .
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ConfederateSS.out!(The Blue and Silver Rebellion)... 
