On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century, by Timothy Snyder
We are there.
I've referenced Timothy Snyder's book here, because Chapter 13, entitled, "Practice Corporeal Politics," has suddenly become more relevant than ever. As we now exist on the real side of what was once the "existential threat to democracy" that Trump was before he was re-elected, we now are experiencing attempts at imposing tyranny, with some Americans and some people who came here for the safety the country once provided from it, experiencing it directly.
It's Not the Experience I Imagined
The election of 2024 was razor thin. I'm not convinced, with the number of Trump loyalists who replaced legitimate poll workers after the accusations and threats following the 2020 election, that Trump and the GOP actually won this election. There were more mail-in ballots thrown out in swing states this time around, seemingly, according to the research done by some individuals, like Greg Palast, just enough to change vote totals giving the razor thin edge to Trump. A couple of well placed bomb threats, called into precinct voting places in heavily Democratic areas of Atlanta, Georgia and North Carolina, may have derailed just enough blue votes to tip the balance in his favor.
Nevertheless, I did not expect the Democratic party leadership to disappear after it was all over. They left behind a bigger vacuum than I would have expected, into which Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have come with a uniting, progressive narrative. They are directly responsible for spurring what appears to be growing anti-Trump sentiment coming from some unexpected sources, including more conservative independents and some Republicans. The Democratic party in Congress seems to have gone into self-preservation mode. Yeah, there are some signs of leadership here and there, Cory Booker's filibuster, Chris Van Hollen's trip to El Salvador, some angry speeches and fist pumping.
Trump resistance and opposition, however, is going in a bit of a different direction. There are signs that "corporeal politics" are developing in response to the tyranny that is unquestionably unfolding. Perhaps in spite of the scattered policy wonk messaging that Democrats are known for, a simpler message is appealing to people and capturing their attention. That message is, "Get him out." That seems to be the one thing providing the energy and enthusiasm that is getting people into the streets, and motivated to action against the war on our democracy and our freedom. Democrats who want to lead need to pay attention to this message, and get on board with it.
Just before the election, in fact, when polls were bouncing up and down like tennis balls, a political analyst, Rachel Bitecofer, appeared on the David Pakman podcast, and said that there was still a way for Democrats to concentrate their messaging and win enough support to eke out a narrow win. They didn't follow her advice. And they lost by a razor thin margin. Somehow, that has caused this paralysis of leadership. The poll numbers are dismal for Trump, but they are a disaster for Democrats. And yet, a clear majority of Americans are highly dissatisfied with everything Trump is doing.
Democrats need to hook up with the opposition's message. Messaging is difficult for Democrats but this is an opportunity that cannot be wasted.
Practice Corporeal Politics
Snyder says, "Power wants your body softening in your chair and your emotions dissipating on the screen. Put your body in unfamiliar places with unfamiliar people. Make new friends and march with them."
That seems to be what's happening now. People are taking to the streets to protest, making new friends and marching. The message is simple, the theme is clear. "Get him out." And it's not just the Democrats and the liberals and the woke people who are marching. It's a nice jumble of people from different political backgrounds, including a fairly decent representation of Republican voters. So this could very well be a movement that picks up a voice on the single issue of Trump being a threat to democracy, and who won't sit still and support it.
In his book, Snyder follows the example set by the Solidarity labor movement in Poland, and its success in eventually getting that country's communist government out of power. This is an exercise of freedom and it generally expresses the will of the people, no matter what news media outlets are under the control of a different group. Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez are emphasizing the populist side of the left's agenda. And they are most definitely getting a reaction, especially from Republican members of Congress in whose districts some of their rallies have been held.
There were more than twice as many people at a Sanders-Cortez rally in Tucson than the victory margin for Juan Ciscomani, the Republican who represents that congressional district, recently. The Congressman was shaken enough by that turnout to hastily agree to an online town hall meeting, after not having scheduled one prior to that time, and he got an unpleasant earful. He's one who is vulnerable to public pressure, clearly, and needs to be subjected to it continuously in order to help his mind get made up where it needs to go, instead of just being Trump's yes boy. Large numbers of people have showed up at recent opposition rallies, not only in Tucson, but in Sierra Vista, in a redder part of his district.
We need to remember, when dealing with some of these right wing extremists, that integrity is not high on their list of values. Not much in the way of a goal has been discussed by organizers of marches and rallies that have been a clear demonstration of the dissatisfaction of the American people with the chaos of Trump's first 100 days in office. I think the removal of Trump by either pressured resignation or impeachment should be at the top of the list, since he's not likely to admit mistakes and change policy, and that needs to be done in accordance with the rule of law. The best shot we have is convincing about 8 Republicans in the House, and about 15 in the Senate, that he needs to go and either pressure him to resign or impeach and remove him.
That sounds like it is too big a task, but with the mounting failures and disasters shaping up as the mob of incompetent boobs Trump picked to lead cabinet posts continue to be stymied by their lack of ability to make good decisions and do a decent job continues to anger people, it might be easier than we think. He has a pretty fragile ego and a volatile temper. It's a mountain that I think can be moved well before the mid-term elections put even more pressure on him.
I'm sure they are quite busy trying to subvert that election, even as we speak.
Will This Lead to a Non-Partisan Movement in American Politics?
I hope what it leads to is the development of an opposition movement to Trump, and to right wing extremism, that ends the threat to democracy and kills the movement toward white Christian nationalism. I hope this wakes up apathetic Americans to the reality that their interest and involvement in government is essential to the survival of Democracy and they can't just sit back, pay no attention and expect someone else to protect their rights and freedom.
And I hope it leads to an early end to the Trump presidency, so that we can rebuild from the damage and restore what has been taken from us.
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