As Election Day approaches, the United States finds itself at a pivotal moment. Reflecting on the past decade, it’s striking to see how dramatically the landscape has shifted, as highlighted by Victor Davis Hanson, a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution. In his commentary on ‘Life, Liberty & Levin,’ Hanson asserts that America has lost its global ‘deterrence’ under President Biden, identifying ten crucial changes that have reshaped the political and social environment. If discussed in 2014, these developments would have seemed unfathomable.
1. The Rise of Transgender Issues in Sports: The participation of biological men in women’s sports has sparked heated debates over gender identity and fairness.
2. The Suppression of Traditional Gender Beliefs: Declaring a binary understanding of gender can lead to significant repercussions, including job loss, raising concerns about freedom of speech.
3. The Surge in Illegal Immigration: The U.S. is experiencing an unprecedented influx of undocumented immigrants, estimated at 2.3 million annually, straining resources and igniting discussions about border security.
4. The Evolution of Elections: Traditional voting methods have shifted significantly, with over 70% of voters utilizing mail-in and early voting in 2020, leading to longer vote counts and delays in result announcements.
5. The Unpunished Violence of BLM and Antifa: The summer of 2020 saw extensive protests led by Black Lives Matter and Antifa, resulting in billions in damages and raising questions about law enforcement’s effectiveness.
6. The Trump-Russia Conspiracy Theory: Allegations of a conspiracy involving the FBI, DOJ, and corporate media to label Donald Trump as a Russian agent highlight growing distrust in institutions.
7. The Hunter Biden Laptop Controversy: The 2020 election was marked by the suppression of information regarding Hunter Biden’s laptop, which purportedly contained evidence of misconduct, stirring concerns over media censorship.
8. Allegations of FBI and DOJ Collusion: Claims that the FBI and DOJ colluded to suppress information from Hunter Biden’s laptop suggest potential abuse of power that could impact election integrity.
9. Censorship of News by Government and Tech Giants: Allegations that government entities collaborated with social media platforms to limit news dissemination raise serious free speech concerns.
10. The Political Indictment of Donald Trump: The indictment of Donald Trump during an election year on various charges exemplifies how political tools can be weaponized against rivals.
Hanson’s commentary illustrates the profound changes in America, from shifts in social norms to increasing political polarization. These developments have sparked worries about the nation’s direction and the future of democracy. As voters gear up to make their choices, the outcomes will shape the trajectory of the country in the coming years.