With the 2024 presidential election quickly approaching, I have been reflecting on American democracy. There was once a time in my life where I was optimistic about the direction of our country and its politics. Now, that optimism is gone. 

From the get-go, both primaries were foregone conclusions. Joe Biden, after promising to be a one-time president on the 2020 campaign trail, would not throw away his incumbency bonus. Donald Trump has remained the idol of the Republican Party, and his nomination was just as secure. 

We have just spent the last year and a half putting on a faux primary cycle. Every time the Republicans took to the debate stage, Trump did not bother — he was going to win regardless. 

When the parties hold their conventions in late summer, the outcome will mirror that of four years ago — a Trump versus Biden race. That in and of itself is a travesty. 

I have made my views on Trump expressly clear — he is a wannabe-fascist who does not care for the rule of law, political institutions, or anybody but himself. He is a power-hungry aspiring tyrant. 

Biden, on the other hand, is boring. He does not inspire political fervor. He has shown himself to be more progressive in some areas, but has failed his base in many ways. 

The Biden administration has shown a weak hand in its dealings with Israel’s abuse of the Palestinian people, with student loan forgiveness, marijuana decriminalization and more. 

Neither candidate represents my interests, so I am once again forced to decide between a fascist bumbling fool and a neoliberal bumbling fool. Not an inspiring contest to say the least. 

Last week, the Supreme Court heard arguments in a case that has the potential to grant Trump immunity for any and all acts committed during his time in office. 

While I sat listening to the oral arguments on the radio in my car, I kept being reminded of Julius Caesar.

In the Roman Republic, officials had “imperium,” a political authority that made them immune from legal suits against them while in office.

When someone left office, and thus lost their imperium, they could be taken to court for any illegal actions. In the case of Caesar, the proximate cause of his march across the Rubicon was a disagreement on when his legal immunity ended. 

I don’t think we have to worry about Trump donning a frilled helmet and marching a legion on Rome (or D.C. for that matter). Nor do I think we will end up in a civil war this decade. But, the similarity struck me. 

I am not very optimistic about peace though. If Trump wins in November, we will likely see the erosion of democratic institutions and political retribution as Trump has signaled toward. 

If Biden wins, I have little doubt we will see political violence on a scale that makes Jan. 6 look like a tussle. 

As we near six months out from the November election, my dominant emotion is anxiety. I am anxious to see what happens to our country. I would like to be optimistic and think we will uphold our democratic values and have a peaceful transition of power. 

But my pessimistic side tells me that is naive.

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