Will America fall?

"This time, I was also disenchanted by the "democratic gene" of Americans. I initially thought that in a country that has experienced more than 200 years of democratic baptism, the people should instinctively resist totalitarianism and dictatorship like allergens and will fight back like a conditioned reflex at the slightest sign. 

But the reality is that the American people are not naturally repulsive to totalitarianism, and even a considerable number of people have a "market-oriented" attitude towards dictatorship: as long as the price is right, they are willing to happily offer democracy and freedom with both hands or even pay for it. 

It turns out that they shout about freedom, but if someone gives them a bargaining chip that is tempting enough, such as a sense of security, economic benefits, ideological identity, or even a "cool" political drama, they will not hesitate to give the green light to power, even if the door leads to the abyss. 

This also shows that democracy is not a natural immune system but a fragile product that needs constant vigilance and maintenance." --- Translated by Google

 这次，我对美国人的“民主基因” 也祛魅了。 我原本以为，一个经历了两百多年民主洗礼的国家，民众应该像对过敏原一样本能地抗拒极权和独裁，稍有苗头，就会条件反射般地反击。 

但现实是，美国民众并没有天然排斥极权，甚至相当一部分人，对独裁的态度可以用“市场化”来形容：只要价格合适，他们愿意兴高采烈地把民主和自由双手奉上，甚至倒贴。 

原来，他们嘴上高喊自由，但如果有人给出的筹码足够诱人，比如安全感、经济利益、意识形态认同，甚至一场“看得爽”的政治大戏，他们会毫不犹豫地为权力开绿灯，哪怕那扇门后通向的是深渊。 

这也说明，民主，不是天然的免疫系统，而是一种需要不断警惕、不断维护的脆弱品。