California Lawmaker Steve Bennett on GOP 'Autocrat' Tactics and Election Rigging

Autocratic Techniques to Undermine Democracy

• autocrats employ four major techniques to weaken democracy and seize control.
• 🎭 These tactics are described as "Kabuki theater," designed to distract from the real issue of manipulating the rules of the game.

Deceit and Intimidation

• 🤥 The first technique is to be deceitful about what is actually happening.
• 🗣️ The second is to practice intimidation, exemplified by the laughter and jeering observed during a legislative hearing.

Creating Crisis and Deflection

• 🚨 A third tactic is the militarization of civilian life to create a sense of crisis.
• ❓ The fourth, and most difficult, technique is to constantly raise new issues to deflect attention from the core problem of rigging the rules for political advantage.

Election Rigging and Power Control

• ⚖️ The fundamental issue is about changing the rules to ensure one side has an advantage in controlling the resources and power of the government.
• 📢 Lawmakers must be vigilant against these tactics, especially in the lead-up to elections, and work to educate the public.