# Beginning of a Protracted Struggle By:: [[Ross Jackson]] 2024-11-07 The recent presidential election reveals a tale of two approaches. When Trump lost the 2020 election, he, along with many of his insurrectionist followers, refused to accept the results of the election. They came up with outlandish conspiracy theories as to why they lost. For four years, they have ranted about how the election was stolen. Magically, with his reelection in 2024, there were no issues of voter fraud. They like the outcome, so of course, it’s legitimate. Harris recently conceded the race and acknowledged Trump’s victory. The supporters of Harris are understandably disappointed. This disappointment has not produced people shouting, “Stop the steal.” What is the root of the difference between these two responses? It is unreasonable to expect that the difference is due to actual election integrity. After all, Trump had already laid the groundwork to contest the 2024 election had he lost. His followers seemed ready to follow. The difference is that the modern Republican party believes that it is correct and that anything is justified because theirs is the only legitimate position. They are willing to use democracy if they can win and thwart democracy when they can’t win. Democrats support democracy. Universally. That means they accept the results of elections. All elections. Even when they don’t like the outcome. Democracy can be disappointing. Democracy is never any better than the quality of the people voting. Under democracy, people get the government they deserve. As a tautology, the United States deserves what it is about to experience. For those unhappy with the outcome of this election and what it reveals about the United States, this is the beginning of a protracted struggle. This is not because the election was stolen but because the result of the election reveals who we are as a nation and all the work required to make it better. Power can be resisted. Progress is possible. #### Related Items [[Politics]] [[American]] [[Democracy]] [[Progress]] [[Election]] [[Power]]