Pointing out the irresolute manner in which Democrats have acted in the face of the Trump threat to democracy in America isn't disloyalty to the party. My convictions about politics are as liberal and progressive as they have ever been, as core Democratic party as those of anyone else. I'm just looking around, at what the media is letting us hear and see, and I'm legitimately questioning the response of those who are in party leadership in Washington, which is the heart of where our politics happen.
In a few short weeks, we've heard multiple false assertions about fraud in the federal government, justifying the wholesale cuts of federal programs and workers that are now taking place, but not providing a single shred of evidence for the claims. They've got their book of talking points already laid out, and it follows the populist line of Trumpism, falsehoods about veterans affairs money being used for housing illegal immigrants, which is their reply about everything. Republicans in town hall meetings are stepping up and requiring accountability from these members of Congress, but not Democrats in Congress or the Senate. Not really.
We've seen criminal treatment in the blatant and horrific lies told by our sitting President about Ukraine, in circumstances that would break the strongest of nations, but which is holding out because they have hope based on the freedom they have experienced. There was a response to that, there'd better have been one, from Democratic party leadership, but it sure wasn't what I expected. They look like they're in a rut, though.
There are three open Congressional seats that, if Democrats can win the special elections, will take the GOP majority away from Trump and give Democrats the thinnest of majorities. But it doesn't seem like there's much of an effort underway to help these candidates win those seats. It looks like they're on their own. If someone has information to refute that statement, please post it. I'm seeing the "business as usual" sign out.
Repeat After Many Democratic Commentators and Talk Show Hosts: Hold a Damn Daily Briefing!
On multiple fronts, controlling narrative has been a long standing issue for Democrats. Here, in the middle of growing discontent among Republicans for what is being done and how it is being done, is an opportunity for Democrats to grab hold of the narrative, and find ways to make sure the message blasts through the walls of the media silos. I've heard multiple commentators, from local talk show hosts on WCPT here in Chicago, to national media persons like Thom Hartmann and Stephanie Miller, call for Democrats to provide a daily briefing on each day's events, from their perspective. Put the facts out there. Insist that there is no evidence to support Musk or Trump's claims that there is fraud that justifies cutting government jobs and spending. Ukraine did not start this war.
Come on, do it. Say it. Every day.
It may take a while for something like this to penetrate the media silos and get into people's electronic media, but it needs to be done. Because every time a news broadcast comes on these days, it's worse than it was between 2020 and 2024. Every story, every headline starts out with "Trump, Trump, Musk, Musk,...." It's not going to be long before people will forget the names of the Democrats who are still serving in Congress, unless they make the pilgrimage to Mar-a-Lago.
No More Business as Usual
A little boldness, willingness to think differently and some risk taking during the last administration and Trump would not even have been able to run for President. But it wasn't within the approved political protocols, and it would have required some unconventional thinking and action. Dithering is no longer acceptable. Every avenue of disruption, of being the determined opposition party, of speaking out and of taking risks if it comes to that, and it will, must be utilized to fight against the Trump administration and bring it down.
In all fairness, I'm going to give Ken Martin and David Hogg at the DNC a chance, but only long enough to prove they're up to the job and willing to do it. Martin made a lot of progress for Democrats in Minnesota, and I think his passion will carry over to the DNC here. And I think Democrats made a great choice in naming Hogg his assistant. Maybe some boldness and risk taking is coming. Are they working on helping Democrats win those two Florida seats and the one in New York? If not, I'll be disappointed, and at least I'll know where not to provide support.
My governor, J. D. Pritzker, put it into the plainest, most accurate terms possible, and put himself on the front line. Watch his recent State of the State address. He gets it and he's ready to do something about it. I expect there will be action that can be supported and followed coming from him. With few exceptions, I haven't seen much out of Congress that impresses me. I listened to Hakeem Jeffries interview with Rachel Maddow. Maybe he's shell shocked, or wasn't having a good day, but I don't see a lot of motivation or enthusiasm there. It's going to take a lot more energy, enthusiasm and motivation than he showed in that interview to get rid of Elon Musk, and push Trump out, too, and frankly, that's what we have to do.
Getting an impeachment to conviction seems impossible in this Congress. And yes, that's a much tougher order than getting Trump prosecuted for inciting an insurrection, when we had a majority in both houses and the ability to take some bold steps, like packing that damn Supreme Court, or moving Merrick Garland out of the way and getting an attorney general who would bring the power of the Presidency to move that trial right along. If we'd pushed for either of those things, we would not be where we are now.
Think about that, for a moment.
Yeah, So What is it That You Want?
Well, first of all, we need to get Elon Musk out of the government and back to South Africa. He's not elected, he's vulnerable and public pressure can achieve this. The goal of the mounting protests and public pressure needs to be to displace Musk and make him pay dearly for what he has done.
Second, get Trump impeached and convicted. Yep, that's a tall order. Don't tell me there is no way to get this done. I am absolutely convinced that every Republican has a price, and Democrats need to set about finding out exactly what that price is. I'm not advocating anything illegal, I'm just saying that with the anger and disgust that has been characteristic of Trump's first month in office, there is plenty of emotion and motivation to get something like that done. There aren't many Republicans who wouldn't give their right arm and left leg if it meant holding on to their power. We have a lot of smart Democrats, let's figure out how to get this done and who is willing to take the political risks to save their country instead of saving their ass.
What kind of opposition party are we if we can't get this moving?
And I'm going to leave it there for now.
No comments:
Post a Comment