It is certainly nice to see that someone at the DNC is good at getting out the current messaging, making sure that whenever I open my social media, I am confronted with a request to donate money. At least, as a political party, we are consistent when it comes to getting that particular message out to the party's constituency. It's a pity we couldn't manage to grab the narrative and control it like this prior to the election, isn't it?
I'm a loyal Democrat. I contribute regularly, and while I won't disclose in this public statement exactly how much money I have contributed, my gifts warranted the recognition from you that I am among the top 10% of contributors to Democratic party causes, most recently the Harris-Walz Presidential campaign. I believed in their message, and in their candidacy, and was more than willing to support them in a personally sacrificial way, with no regrets. I also support Democratic party causes by participating in precinct caucus meetings, volunteering to canvas, make phone calls and help get out the vote, and by blogging here, an effort at amateur journalism that averages somewhere around 2,500 readers each month. I hope that helps clarify our message for some and encourages others in their support.
Being a loyal Democrat, I have not been able to resist continuing to chip in even after we wound up losing the White House in the last election. But as the time has passed since the election, I have started to wonder what it is that I am supporting. We were told, even through the last campaign, and all through this one that our party leadership believed that Trump was an "existential threat to Democracy." Frankly, I didn't have to be told. I pay attention, I read, I watch several news sources. I could clearly see that he was a threat to the American constitutional democracy long before he ever descended the escalator in Trump tower to theatrically announce his run for President in 2016.
Then I saw the disaster he perpetrated on this country for four years in the White House, and the manner in which he left it, including the incitement of an insurrection against the people of the United States, which more than convinced me he is not fit to serve in public office, or live outside the walls of a federal prison. And I am absolutely confirmed in my belief that he is an existential threat to the constitution, the American Republic and every patriotic value we hold dear as Americans.
But now, after a four year term of one of the most respected Democratic politicians of the post-WW2 era as President, one that was successful in so many ways, I feel that my convictions on this specific matter have been abandoned by the party leadership, and by most of its politicians who have disappeared after having been highly visible and relatively prominent up to this point. I certainly expected more in the way of real resistance, a plan to protect our constitutional democracy, and an understanding of how to act in the face of approaching tyranny.
Based on how strongly and emphatically this theme was communicated by Democrats up and down the ticket, I've been shocked by the radio silence that appears to be irresolute inaction as the days of this administration slip away, that is making me doubt whether our party leadership was serious about the existential threat to democracy that Trump actually poses, or whether they are now in a mode aimed at protecting the jobs and influence they have, and to hell with resistance. Sending multiple fund raising social media messages, and almost nothing else, doesn't appear to be the kind of strong response I expected.
I recognize those efforts that are being made to get as much accomplished while our time of freedom dwindles and the country takes a hard right shift. Making sure that as many judicial seats were filled as possible is a noteworthy achievement, though the negotiating away of appellate court seats baffles me. If the GOP were in the same position, they would not have given that up. And I am glad to see the President taking advantage of Congress' last boost of support for Ukraine, pushing out as much equipment as possible, as fast as possible in the event that the next administration simply refuses to follow Congress' instructions.
But I expected more. I expected, based on believing that the Democratic party's leadership and the Biden Administration were convinced Trump is an existential threat to Democracy, that more would have been done to protect that Democracy, instead of retreating inside offices and turning on radio silence after the election.
Frankly, I expected that, under the Biden administration, our Department of Justice would have been far more effective and efficient in pursuing crimes committed by Trump that would disqualify him from serving in public office, and nullify his attempt at getting the GOP nomination. If we really believed our own rhetoric, it seems that would have been a much bigger priority, and instead of the dithering and irresolute dawdling of the Attorney General, the trials for the crimes for which Trump was indicted would have moved quickly to trial, behind the power of the executive branch, a contention supported by dozens of expert attorneys testifying in front of network news cameras.
Now, I'm not so sure their convictions about Trump are as strong as mine are. It no longer appears that is the case.
So, today, prompted by yet another social media request for my contribution, with nothing to offer to me to motivate me to give it this time, I didn't. I've given once since the election, but today, when I saw the ad, I said "No!" I'm committed enough, and I've done enough to have my voice heard and my support taken seriously. I'm just not seeing anything to support right now, at least, not from the mainstream party leadership. So I'm going to wait until it appears there is party leadership who is willing to listen to those of us who are major supporters and either provide the kind of leadership we are asking for, or get out of the way and let someone else with more passion, conviction, energy and conviction, take the lead.
So, when David Hogg's organization popped up on my social media this morning, and I saw what they are trying to do, I decided that's where my donation will go this month, along with the grass roots Democratic organization forming, under the name "Indivisible," whose leadership appears to be as frustrated as many Democrats are with the lack of action in this post-election period.
I'm looking at the Senate campaign of Jon Ossoff in Georgia, a Senator who will wind up facing a huge financial and political challenge from a right wing extremist, Marjorie Taylor-Greene. Senator Ossoff is starting off on the offensive, and will be one of the Democratic party's more resolute defenders of democracy as he fights to hold his seat. I will gladly help.
We have some leaders who, at this critical moment, "get it," and are as frustrated as those of us outside the Capitol are with what's going on as time wastes away in these last days of the Biden Administration. I want to acknowledge, for purposes of noting where my future support will go, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Jasmine Crockett, house members who are not afraid to speak up and challenge corruption and injustice, who are listening to their frustrated constituents and finding ways to act in opposition to an existential threat to democracy that they clearly believe is coming.
May I point out that you work for us, "we, the people." So holing up in your comfortable D.C office and enjoying some perks until the next election cycle rolls around doesn't cut it. Some of us are intelligent, critical thinkers, aware of things going on in government and the world, not afraid to state our opinion. So you want me to contribute? Fine! You need to listen to me, respect my opinion, value my contribution and either provide the kind of motivated opposition leadership we are looking for, or get out of the way and let those who are running ahead of the pack become the leadership we need. At least they're moving ahead.
I'll start contributing again when someone takes the lead, and isn't afraid to challenge this existential threat to democracy.
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