The irony of a liberal African-American political commentator calling for the disenfranchisement of a minority population group appears to be lost on MSNBC’s Joy Ann Reid. Reid labeled rural Americans “the core threat to our Democracy” and called for the abolition of the electoral college to limit their ability to influence elections and government, “This is the core threat to our democracy. The rural minority — the people @JYSexton just wrote a long thread about — have and will continue to have disproportionate power over the urban majority.” And, “That (ending gerrymandering) and the abolition of the Electoral College would be a start.”

Joy Ann Reid, host of the weekend MSNBC show AM Joy, MSNBC promo photo.

This is the core threat to our democracy. The rural minority — the people @JYSexton just wrote a long thread about — have and will continue to have disproportionate power over the urban majority. https://t.co/fzBHaZ9kzR — Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) November 26, 2017

By 2040, about 70% of Americans are expected to live in the 15 largest states. They will have only 30 senators representing them, while the remaining 30% of Americans will have 70 senators representing them. https://t.co/f1SibnIGHv — Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) November 25, 2017

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That and the abolition of the Electoral College would be a start. — Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) November 26, 2017

Reid was commenting an a Wall Street Journal article by Gerald Seib published November 21, The Varied—and Global—Threats Confronting Democracy that expressed concerns over demographic trends in the U.S. that could dilute the political power of large population states.

…The U.S.: His critics charge that Mr. Trump exhibits some authoritarian tendencies of his own, and his occasional disparaging remarks about “rigged” democratic institutions seem to suggest that. The fact is, though, that the American system of checks and balances—a hallmark of the democratic model—remains strong and vibrant. Yet there are reasons to worry about the health of the American model. Current leaders seem unable to find their way to consensus or even compromise on the biggest issues of the day, which can breed voter despair and disillusionment. Demographic trends also are straining the American model. Because of the way the Electoral College works, two of the past three presidents first won office while losing the popular vote. And David Birdsell, dean of the school of public and international affairs at Baruch College, notes that by 2040, about 70% of Americans are expected to live in the 15 largest states. They will have only 30 senators representing them, while the remaining 30% of Americans will have 70 senators representing them. That’s the way the system works, of course. But there will be growing need for enlightened leaders who can show it actually does work for all.’

Reid defended herself to a critic, Brian Hare, who asked, “a threat? huh? 70% would have house & 30% the senate – this is by design (see federalist papers) to prevent a majority taking total power. the minority can be out of power but not w/o a voice – that is our republican system working. am I missing something @JoyAnnReid?”

a threat? huh? 70% would have house & 30% the senate – this is by design (see federalist papers) to prevent a majority taking total power. the minority can be out of power but not w/o a voice – that is our republican system working. am I missing something @JoyAnnReid? https://t.co/81EFjvzS2p — Brian Hare (@bharedogguy) November 26, 2017

Reid condescendingly replied, “Yes you are. Your first problem is one of reading comprehension. The stat is that the 30 percent would have 70 Senators, meaning lopsided minority rule. This is inherently undemocratic and incentivizes that minority to undermine democratic noms to preserve their power.”

Yes you are. Your first problem is one of reading comprehension. The stat is that the 30 percent would have 70 Senators, meaning lopsided minority rule. This is inherently undemocratic and incentivizes that minority to undermine democratic noms to preserve their power. https://t.co/nuHKURnG5A — Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) November 26, 2017

This is the first of twenty-two posts in a thread referenced by Reid that in comment sixteen smears Trump voters as people who “hold Adolf Hitler in high regard. Who say he had “good ideas.” 16/“

With Trump's base showing strong preferences for authoritarianism, and continuing to support a serial predator of children, it's time to look this problem in its face. 1/ — Jared Yates Sexton (@JYSexton) November 25, 2017

Reid’s Twitter about box features this apt quote, ““Ignorance, allied with power, is the most ferocious enemy justice can have.” – James Baldwin”