It was well-advised for congressional Democrats to focus on health care in their initial opposition to the shutdown, but now it's time to expand the front into all-out resistance to the authoritarian agenda. Keep in mind, voters concerned about authoritarianism were likely to support the Democrats anyway. Focusing on health helped attract support among voters concerned with more immediate issues, voters the Democrats are trying to win back.
Andrew, I really appreciate how you frame rule of law vs. rule of Trump in terms of human nature. Conservatives in particular used to recognize how all humans could be human and make mistakes, so we needed guard-rails and institutions to, if not educate them, certainly limit the harm. It's certainly at the heart of the Christianity so many of them claim to believe in.
I'm from the American South and I know what a lot of these people thought about cops before Trump. It's bizarre and more than a bit pathetic to see so many of them, if not change, at least not care about that now that they've got a little power to use against someone else. :-$
Honestly, I had forgotten Cernovich existed. It's AMAZING how much of our current cultural tumult can be traced back to Gamergate. Misogyny is a hell of a drug.
Agree. The Democrats are shutting down the government to save the Republicans from the consequences of their stupid decision to pull subsidies from healthcare. Even Republican pollsters say it will cost Republicans the Senate. The Democrats need to say we won’t fund an authoritarian government. As an aside, Democratic governors need to start preparing for secession now. If the US becomes a dictatorship, the bounds that held the country together has been broken. It is sad, but it is what the Chinese and Russians wanted and Trump delivered.
Bill...full agreement with the caveat: 2024 election was, as proposed by the Democrats, a choice of democracy vs autocracy. And look at who resides at 1600! It's the economy, health, military in our streets...these are the issues that need maximum exposure on every platform. Too many will hear "democracy" and will respond, "c'mon, we can still vote". The Ds seem only to be reactive. Now is the time to be proactive!
And also: please include in every post the things you see, however small, that we little people can do to have an effect, however small. So many people are posting about the nightmare that's rolling down on us, but leaving us helpless in the face of it. Thanks for everything you're doing.
This is not my idea - but I like it: Make the "Republican" spineless sock-puppets in the US Senate vote on all of it. Put a series of resolutions on the Senate Floor that denounce Trump's myriad of authoritarian un-American abuses of power that have violated the Constitution and our Rule of Law. (Pick out ten of the worst.) The resolutions should specifically name them, describe those abuses of power and denounce them - and force the so-called "Republicans" in the Senate to vote on each and every one of them.
Our beautiful ( not always, apathetic and yes spoiled rotten, plus ingratitude ) country already died around nine or ten weeks ago, no one despises the U S more than Murdoch. I still have hope that M Meadows will see lock-up, I can have hope for a few things, such as Stephen Miller seeing future lock-up. Trump is just the front man, It's Thiel, L Leo, ( a few of Bannon's and Alito's ideas ). We may be able to re-grow, it will take time and earnest effort plus a huge amount of cooperation.
Here is a great resource from an academic inn the UK who is tracking Trump's Authoritarian and unlawful action. https://www.trumpactiontracker.info/? All graphed and referenced
Bill, very important stuff here. YES the dems need to move on from the 'healthcare of bust' approach. Trump's authoritarian race is growing faster and faster and the Dems need to move and adjust. The NSPM may be one of the scariest and most dangerous moves yet and where is the protest. The Dems need to wake up. We are deep into the constitutional crisis and time is running out.
Dems need to drop the health care ask immediately, take it off the table. The full brunt of the Big Ugly Bill needs to be felt by the voters. Yes, I know, this is harsh as hell, but we are in an existential crisis and must push back against Trump's militarization of the country. Ask for no masks, identification badges and agency well displayed, no arrests/takings without a warrant, access to an attorney, due process. No helicopters and quit with the manly man fatigues. These are federal agents, not troops. They look ridiculous and terrify people. While I know that is the point, it doesn't make it ok. As to backing off of health care asks: why in the world would the Dems bail out Trump? Once people start to realize that they've been badly screwed, tax cuts for the rich, the shaft for everyone else, there will be more than a few who show up at No Kings 2, 3, 4, 5, 6...whatever it takes.
Even Republican pollsters say that the healthcare issue will give Democrats the Senate. Our leaders are failing us. The evolving dictatorship is the most critical issue facing the country.
It was well-advised for congressional Democrats to focus on health care in their initial opposition to the shutdown, but now it's time to expand the front into all-out resistance to the authoritarian agenda. Keep in mind, voters concerned about authoritarianism were likely to support the Democrats anyway. Focusing on health helped attract support among voters concerned with more immediate issues, voters the Democrats are trying to win back.
Andrew, I really appreciate how you frame rule of law vs. rule of Trump in terms of human nature. Conservatives in particular used to recognize how all humans could be human and make mistakes, so we needed guard-rails and institutions to, if not educate them, certainly limit the harm. It's certainly at the heart of the Christianity so many of them claim to believe in.
I'm from the American South and I know what a lot of these people thought about cops before Trump. It's bizarre and more than a bit pathetic to see so many of them, if not change, at least not care about that now that they've got a little power to use against someone else. :-$
No Kings Day is no longer applicable. It needs to be relabeled as No Fascist Authoritarian Dictator Day or Save Our Country From Being Destroyed.
Honestly, I had forgotten Cernovich existed. It's AMAZING how much of our current cultural tumult can be traced back to Gamergate. Misogyny is a hell of a drug.
Agree. The Democrats are shutting down the government to save the Republicans from the consequences of their stupid decision to pull subsidies from healthcare. Even Republican pollsters say it will cost Republicans the Senate. The Democrats need to say we won’t fund an authoritarian government. As an aside, Democratic governors need to start preparing for secession now. If the US becomes a dictatorship, the bounds that held the country together has been broken. It is sad, but it is what the Chinese and Russians wanted and Trump delivered.
Let’s hope some Democrats read this
Bill...full agreement with the caveat: 2024 election was, as proposed by the Democrats, a choice of democracy vs autocracy. And look at who resides at 1600! It's the economy, health, military in our streets...these are the issues that need maximum exposure on every platform. Too many will hear "democracy" and will respond, "c'mon, we can still vote". The Ds seem only to be reactive. Now is the time to be proactive!
And also: please include in every post the things you see, however small, that we little people can do to have an effect, however small. So many people are posting about the nightmare that's rolling down on us, but leaving us helpless in the face of it. Thanks for everything you're doing.
Sending this to my (very blue, but still) Senators, Bill. Thanks.
This is not my idea - but I like it: Make the "Republican" spineless sock-puppets in the US Senate vote on all of it. Put a series of resolutions on the Senate Floor that denounce Trump's myriad of authoritarian un-American abuses of power that have violated the Constitution and our Rule of Law. (Pick out ten of the worst.) The resolutions should specifically name them, describe those abuses of power and denounce them - and force the so-called "Republicans" in the Senate to vote on each and every one of them.
That presupposes that these resolutions make it to the Floor.
Our beautiful ( not always, apathetic and yes spoiled rotten, plus ingratitude ) country already died around nine or ten weeks ago, no one despises the U S more than Murdoch. I still have hope that M Meadows will see lock-up, I can have hope for a few things, such as Stephen Miller seeing future lock-up. Trump is just the front man, It's Thiel, L Leo, ( a few of Bannon's and Alito's ideas ). We may be able to re-grow, it will take time and earnest effort plus a huge amount of cooperation.
Here is a great resource from an academic inn the UK who is tracking Trump's Authoritarian and unlawful action. https://www.trumpactiontracker.info/? All graphed and referenced
Bill, very important stuff here. YES the dems need to move on from the 'healthcare of bust' approach. Trump's authoritarian race is growing faster and faster and the Dems need to move and adjust. The NSPM may be one of the scariest and most dangerous moves yet and where is the protest. The Dems need to wake up. We are deep into the constitutional crisis and time is running out.
Your lips to Gods ears Bill! Please use your vast network and influence to make it happen!
Dems need to drop the health care ask immediately, take it off the table. The full brunt of the Big Ugly Bill needs to be felt by the voters. Yes, I know, this is harsh as hell, but we are in an existential crisis and must push back against Trump's militarization of the country. Ask for no masks, identification badges and agency well displayed, no arrests/takings without a warrant, access to an attorney, due process. No helicopters and quit with the manly man fatigues. These are federal agents, not troops. They look ridiculous and terrify people. While I know that is the point, it doesn't make it ok. As to backing off of health care asks: why in the world would the Dems bail out Trump? Once people start to realize that they've been badly screwed, tax cuts for the rich, the shaft for everyone else, there will be more than a few who show up at No Kings 2, 3, 4, 5, 6...whatever it takes.
Even Republican pollsters say that the healthcare issue will give Democrats the Senate. Our leaders are failing us. The evolving dictatorship is the most critical issue facing the country.
Amen to that idea.