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So at @braverangels we commissioned a poll from @YouGov to survey American's thoughts about the possibility of violence following a contested election, and the possibility that the election may in fact be rigged.
Thread (1/18) https://twitter.com/JohnRWoodJr/status/1314277196119175169
Thread (1/18) https://twitter.com/JohnRWoodJr/status/1314277196119175169
The poll, and public letter we are circulating that I retweeted above, were covered yesterday in this featured piece from @USATODAY.
Here is the article if you want to read it (2/18): https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/10/07/both-sides-worry-doubts-election-integrity-could-spark-violence/5880965002/
Here is the article if you want to read it (2/18): https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/10/07/both-sides-worry-doubts-election-integrity-could-spark-violence/5880965002/
But in the survey we put forward 3 statements for Republicans, Democrats independents and others to agree or disagree with. (3/18)
1st "The November election is likely to be fair and honest."
2nd "As a result of the election, Americans will generally agree on who is the legitimately elected president of the United States."
3rd "America will see an increase in violence as a result of the election." (4/18)
2nd "As a result of the election, Americans will generally agree on who is the legitimately elected president of the United States."
3rd "America will see an increase in violence as a result of the election." (4/18)
The results were striking. But not really too surprising for anyone who is paying attention.
On the 1st, about 47% of Americans disagreed. On the 2nd, an even 50%.
But on the 3rd point, a whopping 55% of Americans DO agree we'll see more violence because of the election. (5/18)
On the 1st, about 47% of Americans disagreed. On the 2nd, an even 50%.
But on the 3rd point, a whopping 55% of Americans DO agree we'll see more violence because of the election. (5/18)
The percentages on each question between Democrats and Republicans are pretty comparable. Interesting, Independents are more pessimistic about the integrity of the election in general but more optimistic that we might avoid violence.
(6/18)
(6/18)
Our thanks to @YouGov. See the findings here: (7/18) https://braverangels.org/yougov-poll/
People often ask why focus on rebuilding American relationships when we have an immediate political crisis staring us in the face. Isn't the urgent thing getting Trump out the White House? Or making sure leftist mobs don't rule the streets?
Perhaps. But here's the thing: (8/18)
Perhaps. But here's the thing: (8/18)
The corruption of our system and the breakdown of our institutions is directly facilitated by the division of the American people into warring tribes that cannot reason together because we see one another as the enemy...(9/18)
...rather than as neighbors with whom we share a greater interest in the context of our democratic union. Historic social grievances are real and challenging enough. But the distrust that exists between us today has been artificially inflamed...(10/18)
...and they have been artificially inflamed by the perverse incentives that govern our institutions. Including in media. Including in politics. Including in the academy. Including in government. And Hollywood too, for that matter.
But, ask 'Uncle Joe' might say...(11/18)
But, ask 'Uncle Joe' might say...(11/18)
Here's the deal:
You can't fix the divisions of the American, now that the damage is down, just by reversing these perverse incentives. And in any event you can't undo these institutional distortions unless you rebuild trust among the American people. (12/18)
You can't fix the divisions of the American, now that the damage is down, just by reversing these perverse incentives. And in any event you can't undo these institutional distortions unless you rebuild trust among the American people. (12/18)
We cannot long last as enemies as well as neighbors inside of a democracy. We have to either commit to breaking the cycle of enmity and rebuilding with each other, or commit to the mutually assured destruction that we are already picking up speed on the path towards. (13/18)
There is a *Unity Movement* for lack of a better phrase, that is trying to take shape in America.
Unity does not mean uniformity, less conformity. But I have seen & worked with a spectrum of organizations, thinkers and leaders nationally and locally, & across sectors of (14/18).
Unity does not mean uniformity, less conformity. But I have seen & worked with a spectrum of organizations, thinkers and leaders nationally and locally, & across sectors of (14/18).
...American life who in one way or another are striving to rebuild our empathy with each other or otherwise set the stage for Americans to transcends labels and categories such that we might preserve our social fabric, and collaborate on the work of preserving democratic society.
@weavetheppl @USConvoProject @AmericanProj @HdxAcademy @NICDInstitute @AllSidesNow @commongroundcom @GreaterGoodSC @Kscopeinstitute #UrbanSpecialists ( @bishopojahwar) @commongroundcom @essentialprtnrs @enchanttheory & even #Unity2020 are groups I've worked with who...(16/18)
...in different ways, are all striving towards this goal.
But we have to build the infrastructure that is capable of helping us reframe our relationships to one another as Americans so that it scales across America. We have to build an infrastructure of peace...(17/18)
But we have to build the infrastructure that is capable of helping us reframe our relationships to one another as Americans so that it scales across America. We have to build an infrastructure of peace...(17/18)
...in keeping with the substance of nonviolence as Dr. King taught it.
This is why we are pushing this letter. This is why I ask you to consider the work of @braverangels.
More to come. 18/18 https://braverangels.org/hat/
This is why we are pushing this letter. This is why I ask you to consider the work of @braverangels.
More to come. 18/18 https://braverangels.org/hat/
