He should’ve been disqualified from running the first time. There was enough evidence. He should’ve been disqualified many times since. Nobody did it. All the investigations were ignored. It’s like there are moles undermining every step.
I agree. But "shoulda, woulda, coulda" doesn't matter anymore. What matters are ideas for some sort of strategy and/or plan, for arresting/ousting this mess in the White House and rebuilding and protecting whatever is left of America. There are Democrats who are speaking out, but they are not being heard for whatever reason. Why aren't they front and center in the news, too? My guess there is a bit (or a lot) of censorship going on in the media. In the end, Trump is the smallest of men with no courage and a weak mind and so are the people surrounding him.
Just like the 'Robber Barrons' of the Guilded Age and the runup to the Great Depression, the monied class is trying to take control of government and society. This time they added to the brew by attracting the Dominionist right-wing Christians and have the whole right-wing propaganda machine fanning the flames. They have a deadly stew of misinformation and daily 'talking points' which keep the faithful angry at The Other'. I honestly believe they are addicted to their anger.Against this our best efforts may be for naught... But, we need to fight anyway.
Democrats must first recognize that Trump, the Republican party, Republicans in Congress, and Musk with his DOGE are engaged in an ongoing insurrection with Putin to destroy democracy, the rule of law, and human rights that violates federal law (18 U.S. Code § 2383). The law defines a felony crime as “whoever assists or engages in any rebellion or insurrection against the authority of the United States or the laws thereof”. The insurrection aims to take America back to before 1776 with a KING (Putin as KING with Trump as a Baron leasing America as a fiefdom from the KING) and let Trump run the fiefdom with oligarchs as the old South which provided all the wealth to rich white men as property holders who exploited inhuman cruel slavery and treated all women as slaves.
Then Democrats must adopt a PLAN that begins with enacting and enforcing a new state law modeled after the federal law (18 U.S. Code § 2383) in 7 states where Democrats control the state government. California could be the first state to enact and enforce the law within 90 days which would remove the 9 Republican representatives from California in the Congressional House. The House would then have a Democratic majority of 2024 to 2009 with Jefferies as Speaker of the House to control the budget and make sure Ukraine and Medicaid are fully funded and there will be no tax cuts for the rich. Maryland, New Jersey and Colorado could follow to collectively remove another 8 Republican representatives in the House and then also remove 4 conservative justices from the Supreme Court changing the Court to 3 liberals and 2 conservatives to block any more conservative Court actions favorable to Trump, Republicans, and oligarchs.
The Constitution in Article I, Section 6, Clause 1 allows members of Congress to be arrested, indicted, and convicted for the felony crime of insurrection that violates state law enforced with imprisonment up to ten years with mandatory permanent removal and prevention from holding office.
The Constitution does not establish judicial immunity for any judge including federal judges or Supreme Court Justices. Therefore, Supreme Court Justices can be arrested, indicted, and convicted for the felony crime of insurrection and enforced with imprisonment up to ten years and mandatory permanent removal and prevention from holding office.
Time to fight, no hold barred, and I mean fight, enough of this milquetoast, I am better than that, good two shoes. The worses thing that has happened to us of late is "When they go low, we go high", that mentality has brought Putin to the Offal Office.
Interesting concept. I have just come off watching CNN. One of the people they interviewed for comment stated that Trump shows more and more that he actually HATES the USA. It is high time for all lawmakers and all governors, of both parties to stand up. However, CNN also interviewed Republican Congressman Carlos Gimenez (FL) who just defended Trump's decision to suspend military aid to Ukraine and vote against the UN Resolution (along with Russia, North Korea and Belarus) which condemned the Russian aggression against Ukraine. It was sickening to watch this and shows (inexplicably) how spineless almost all GOP Congressmen are.
I don't think there's anyone left to enforce this. They've been in violation for years. Since the J6 insurrection fascists have only increased and consolidated their power. Their coup results was made possible by a persuasive and relentless propaganda machine. Is it possible to mirror Their talking points in style and use that to get facts and truth widely broadcasted ?
Democrats in 7 states that have a Democrat as governor and attorney general and have Democrats in control of the legislature can enforce the law on insurrection beginning with new state law. The news media is useless and complicit. The message should be "enforce the law on insurrection stupid".
Ten years in I'm feeling jaded and traumatized by the lack of effective action against this movement. I repeatedly thought the red line had been crossed and would spur Congress to act. Now I'm having a hard time hoping elected officials will rise to the moment
The penalty for the crime described in the law is arrest and imprisonment up to ten years and permanent incapability of holding office. The Constitution permits the penalty and the state law that can be written would do the removal after arrest and conviction. The state law applyies to residents of the state including representatives in government.
This is a compelling reply. Are you an attorney? Do you publish elsewhere? Can I follow you? My nonprofit Democracy4All might be interested in working with you. If you reply to my reply I will see it in my email, and we can connect.
That’s sad …but we are still here … RIGHT HERE. And on social media. And talking to each other on Substacks. We need to BE the public that spreads the news … I have a lot of friends who have quit Facebook, but I am still there {if she has not changed her page today, then so is HRC and a lot of others} because I can POST THINGS ThERE STILL, and they are not taken down — I talk to friends I could not reach elsewhere, and we spread the resistance … I will do BlueSky, too — of course!! — but it does not right now have the reach of the old Twitter OR Facebook. I want us to be pragmatic, and be LOUD.
I believe in in-person demonstrations, but this time around, we do NOT want to let uproar rule — The Donald wants to sic the cops and the army on us and delcare Martial Law — we don’t want him to have ANY excuse to do that.
Kent State was a horrible thing. We don’t want to give him that excuse …
I am encouraged by the many, many people who showed up loud and careful in the Mad River Valley to drive JD Vance off our wonderful ski slopes and into “an undisclosed location” by virtue of numbers and signs and cheers and determination and NO UPROAR.
Way to go, Vermont (I lived in the Mad River Valley for ten years — still live in Vermont).
Is anyone else as heartbroken as I am to see how the heroic and courageous LECH WALESA is referenced in the below headline? "Polish Cold War Hero". Unbelievable...
"Polish Cold War Hero Slams 'Insulting' Trump-Zelenskyy Meeting: 'We Are Shocked'
Lech Wałęsa, who helped topple his Communist government in 1989, rebuked President Donald Trump in a letter signed by 38 other former political prisoners."
The media is wall-to-wall right-wing. Our leaders didn't do their homework on mind-control, brainwashing, and psychological warfare. Mind control is real.
The insidious and surreptitious infiltration by authoritarian capitalists of our public airwaves. Most people are oblivious!?! Not me. I address this clandestine anomally, to whoever will listen, including my Congresspeople. Our democracy being overtaken by greed, avarice and malevolence by media moguls is real! Please don't let it happen.
News sells the media. Democrats have to start being as outrageous as Trump. Give speeches comparing Trump to Putin - throw red paint on pictures of Trump, get nasty. The media will follow but not if Democrats keep playing like little puppies and kitties.
I agree, the opposition needs a definite plan. Whilst I don't think mass vengeance and retribution would be sensible, the leadership (Musk, Vance, Voight, Trump et al) need to put on trial for Treason and Sedition (At the moment their crimes dont merit execution...not yet). There also needs to be a major programme of deradicalisation. Even if the Musk/Trump regime is ousted there will still be millions of dangerously fanatical Nazis left within America. Basically, the US (post-Musk/Trump) faces similar dangers to post-WW2 Germany or Italy dealing with the contamination of their fascist past.
It seems to me the Dems could designate a weekly ? event where they have their spokesperson ( or people) speak to the nation. This would be an addition to, not a replacement, of individual Dems in Congress (or prominent elites out of office).
Also, they need to bring into such events new voices, new faces. And make it newsworthy-the mom who lost her child because Musk cut off aid. Don't try and overcontrol the message.
This SOTU response will be an opportunity for Slotkin to talk about planned actions by the Party (like a weekly event) and others things. If she just gives a rah rah with no follow on organizing action it will be a missed opportunity.
It would convey a sense that the Dems are organized and speaking with one voice when they need to.
Maybe Reich can help promote such an idea.
AI
House Democrats hold a weekly press briefing. For example, House Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar and Vice Chairman Ted Lieu typically hold their press conference on Thursdays. These briefings cover various topics and provide updates on the party's stance on current issues.
Good idea, Steve. Last summer Ron Filipowski on the Meidas Network highlighted how Christian Nationalists and other far right groups have become experts in propagandizing their platforms in town halls and church meetings. The Dems are ages behind them with pushback.
I’ve been railing in my comments that the Damnocrats have got to get off their disassociated butts and COME TOGETHER in protests and pro-democracy rallies confronting Trumphuk / Muskalini and the Project 2025 weasels that have taken over and are killing our democracy.
It’s fine that Senators Murphy, Warner, Kaine, and Congressman/ woman Vindman, Cortez,et al have spoken up individually and even shown up at protests. This requires much more. The democratic “leaders” need to cohere an opposition and act on it.
We need a real sustained opposition movement—no sitting this one out.
That's ALMOST funny, considering that pretty much everyone hanging out around the Golden Escalator at Trump Tower back in 2015 was paid $50 to wear those Trump shirts, after responding to specific ads for actors.
"Republican Leaders Tell Members To Avoid Town Halls, ‘Professional Protesters’
The spectacle of explosive town hall meetings has Republicans shifting tactics to downplay voter anger"
To some extent, the problem is they ARE there, and we keep saying they are NOT, which suppresses their message instead of amplifying in it. .Instead of saying they are not there, we need to repost what we see and hear!!!!!!!!!
We've crossed the Rubicon so many times. If these people were capable of conscience or shame they would long ago have stood in opposition. I say no time now for futile endeavors. Boycotts, National Strike. Hound D's to refuse en masse to give any votes for any thing they do
You are correct, Cara, Dems, reformed Republicans like Kinzinger, and Independents like Bernie need to be front and center in the faces Mukz, Drump, Wanze and the cowards who sup of their swill. Take an example from MP Charlie Angus of Canada whose opinions are featured often on the Meidas Touch podcast. Since he has the voice of our northern neighbors, he does not hold back with his lashings of our decrepit fascist admin. in any way. We need more like him on this side to back us out from Hell.
define "winning". It's a good question. Appearances are 90% of politics : it is so if people think so (e.g. he's winning).
The media does a bad job on the laws that Trump has broken and may have broken with not enough follow up. In part because the administration is a black hole when they want--I'm sure we need FOIAs.
AI:
FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) requests are being lodged against the Trump administration in 2025. For instance, organizations like Democracy Forward have filed FOIA requests to investigate the administration's use of artificial intelligence in personnel decisions. Additionally, there have been legal challenges regarding the administration's claim that certain departments, like the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), are exempt from FOIA requests.These actions highlight ongoing efforts to ensure transparency and accountability.
The country is stuck with trump and the useless GOP who "weaseled" their way into power. The Dems are not fighting back. Elissa Slotkin, Dem senator from Michigan who will be responding to tonight's address by trump said in January (re Laken Riley Act) "....the nation must get past petty partisanship" and then voted for the Act.....”. So pathetically complacent and naive.
There is nothing to get past. It's long gone. It's a rogue gvt, a fascist regime.
Democrats are doing a MASSIVE DISSERVICE to the country if they proceed on the basis that there is even a shred of will (or decency) on the part of republicans to cooperate in governing.
Wake up Dems. Republicans have left the building, vamoosed into the barren landscape of trump's deranged mind - to the point that they are even attempting to convince Americans to swallow the same deadly kool-aid they've been happily imbibing for years and which has thoroughly rotted their brains. Democrats, are you open to taste testing the kool-aid? Looks like it. What a shame.
Actually, it started long before Garland. Throughout Trump's time as a real estate developer in New York City, he was able to get away with all sorts of offenses without ever being held to account. With the hundreds of millions of dollars from his sugar daddy father, he was able to buy his way out of trouble with generous contributions to election campaigns and officeholders' favored charities. New Yorkers viewed him as a source of entertainment, not to be taken seriously.
Sh*tmouth tRump should have been stopped YEARS AGO in New York City. Long before he got involved in national politics, he was involved in NYC's corrupt politics, thereby avoiding any punishment for manifestly criminal or simply illegal actions: tax fraud, landlord neglect and racist discrimination, cheating people who contracted to do work for him, and on and on. The list is almost unbelievable. And yet, he was never stopped right here in NYC.
Mmerose, I do believe it was McConnell who orchestrated most of this insanity we are now facing. He should have known and done better, but alas, he was victim of flattery and just plain not caring about this nation. I suspect he was paid off too, but don't know that for certain. One would think that would be irrelevant since his wife is from a rich family, but I guess one can never have enough if one is enormously greedy as our oligarchs and wannabees are.
Paid off? Interesting . I have long felt that trump was blackmailing McConnell. I have absolutely no evidence to support this, just a feeling. McConnell could have stopped him in his tracks, but didn’t. The question is why didn’t he?
Have read often that stacking the Supreme Court for the Republicans was mc connell' s dream..his reason for being! He planned, executed with quiet precision...over the years.
Why??? The realization of seeing his life's work accomplished.???..adulation of his peers.???...the payoff was neverending...??? all.of these combined...???
Whatever his reason...he sold out his family, his constituents, his country, in my opinion.
There is a word for infamous men like mc connell ....who work to defeat all this beloved country. You know it! I know it!
mc connell ...in all truth...knows it well...he's lived it!
Will not print that word here..but will print one which shouts out my abhorrence of this man and his legacy....
It was indeed McConnell & crew who refused to impeach & said that criminal justice courts would do the job! (Something like that) All I’m saying is if they’d impeached him this wouldn’t have happened. So yes McConnell holds a lot of responsibility for what has happened now!
Tom, I wonder why the Republican party is not in the crosshairs? now that things are looking unsalvageable, we see the constituents of the Republicans hopping mad, I don't think it is fair to blame Democrats again. Because of wealth inequality , Democrats had to build war chests to even qualify for a run for office. Money in politics was the problem, not those seeking a voice while being less wealthy.
Laurie, I don't believe Professor Reich was blaming the Democrats. I think he was suggesting that turn-about is fair play. Republicans booed and insulted President Biden every time he tried to speak. Professor Reich gave suggestions to the Democrats that would make republicans pay attention! I am sure the republicans are in the crosshairs of their constituents. They are mad, but are they mad enough to vote that orange mushroom out of office? Are they mad enough to select candidates that will work FOR them instead of one man? I hope Democrats do get into "good trouble" for all of us!
The worry I have is that tRUMP has no sense of decency and fairness. We saw the disrespect shown to President Biden, and others, that does not mean that the toddler in chief will be able to fairly handle much deserved pushback. He reserves the right to be a tyrant and does not care who it hurts when he is unfair, or abusive. It would be brave to do some of the things that were suggested. "Slaves who can't be beaten are half free." Frederick Douglas (?)
Tom, I wholeheartedly agree with you on this one. (It is) “The total system that failed,” not just the Democrats. Trump, Musk and Project 2025 are going full speed ahead destroying our Constitution, our Democracy and Our Economy. For me it is time to focus on “Build Back Better.” Out of the economic collapse that is sure to come with the population losing all purchasing power we will have to create a more equitable economy, Economic Democracy, that does not rely on capitalism for its basis.
Marc, I read the article and thought about it: where originates your humanity and civility? Where mine?
I appreciate the text, but can I recognise it? For a big part, yes. But my eclectic stance gave me something else too: the European social history.
Marx and Engels to begin with, with respect, although I never was member of a communist party.
Then followers: Rosa Luxemburg, friend of Dutch writers; I wrote a thesis about her and could only give my daughter her name.
Then my study in Amsterdam, with Provo as inspiration, reading Kropotkin and Arthur Lehning. The latter was historian and inspired in the twenties in Paris, by the Russian migrants, who fled for the Russian Revolution and Lenin's regime.
I mean: history is the beginning of every human inspiration and consciousness. So inspiration can also be found in the social history of this world.
Rosa Luxemburg and other Marxists paid a high price for ignoring tribalism. Marxists put much faith in the Moscow leadership, and, ironically, we now have a capitalist American dictator showing faith in Moscow. Bizarre!
Thank you Marc for these excellent links! I love this vision for an Economic Democracy and its humane values! These are the values I learned from my mother and have always embraced. Thus, I've always felt like a fish out of water living in a huge city in the U.S. surrounded by such different false "values" of the insatiable thirst for and addiction to money and power and sole focus on competition and "wants" of the individual leading to greed vs. cooperation with all other life forms so that we all can live and thrive. Thank you for your voice.
Laurie, I don't like blaming Dems, and I do want Republicans held responsible for their criminal behavior in nominating and pushing into office someone they knew full well was unqualified and a criminal. Democrats do, however need to start speaking out more loudly, more of them than just the wonderful progressives. We need that Michigan Rep this evening to call Trump and Kump out on their coup and Musk's illegal actions with his child-man team. Describe in detail in ordinary people language what tariffs are and who is going to pay, the risks to our critical social programs, Trump's flattery of and by Putin while trying to get us to betray an ally, denial of our climate crisis, and Trump/Musk's constant lying and give a bunch of scathing examples. That is what she should do. What she will do is whine about unity, that the Democrats have more to offer with little or no follow-through. She will look so sincere while mouthing just what Republicans want her to say: nothing and with little effort or context or content. Ugh!
It would be epic to see major pushback from her and everyone else. I really like Robert's idea of loud boos and signs.. the Republicans have done that when it was uncalled for. This would be fair, after what the Republicans and their Fuhrer are doing.
Laurie, I kept hearing "when they go low we go high" but what does that mean, standing aloof from the fray? I think we need to get lower so we can see what Republicans/MAGAs are doing in the deep hole they have dug for themselves and us, demand Democratic presence at Musk's theft events in the various agencies. Then, we need to call Republicans/MAGAs out on their folly, at every opportunity, and even when not expected. Right now, they are running the show, but it is time others intervene to stop them. It seems law enforcement is pretty good at shooting Black and Latine people, but not so good at stopping theft of our personal information by a troop of toddler-men who want to take over our nation. Interesting how that works!
Pushback that features signs and chants. The only thing I fear is the dirty fighting when provocateurs show up. In the 60's and 70's there were actually classes offered to help people recognize when escalation was happening. We don' t need to give him a "reason" to attack and assault. There were strategies to avoid being 'set up 'and accused of being violent and criminal. This guy wants to take away our Freedom of speech, so everything is risky .. No guts, no glory.
Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and the Project 2025 business are out to destroy any chance of a labor movement emerging in the US. This is a time for all worker to strike.
Laurie - yes, some of the repugnant constituents are hopping mad, but the next shiny thing will distract them. if dumpster threw them a big country concert with free beer and pot, all would be forgiven. they're that shallow.
1) ANY legislation that was either PROPOSED or SUPPORTED by the GOP...
2) For the purpose of helping MIDDLE-INCOME, WORKING-CLASS Americans...
3) Any time on the past 75 YEARS?
While NO ONE has yet come up with a correct answer in the YEARS I've been asking, the task of naming laws by DEMS that support all the criteria would FILL PAGES: FEMA, ACA, Unemployment insurance, Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and countless more important laws. But not only is is very difficult to come up with any legislation proposed by the GOP (other than to help the rich or harm the poor), the reality is even worse. Every law passed by Dems was BITTERLY FOUGHT by the GOP. (Even such things as Rural Electrification and Mail Delivery that are now so easily taken for granted were hard fought victories by Dems.)
What law DOES fit these criteria? The only one I can name is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The GOP didn't propose it, but they did vote for it. And that seems to say that maybe the GOP actually does realize who makes up their base, and how great their needs can be.
AND HOW ANGRY MAGA WILL BE IF MEDICARE/MEDICAID/SOCIAL SECURITY are compromised!!!
Not only money, Laurie, organization also. The billionaires have been organizing for the past thirty years. This is how they came to control all three branches of the federal government. Perhaps they are the only ones who can derail Trump, but to undo their previous work Americans must create massive resistance. Organization is key.
Money is the Key, as they buy seats in power and get legislation that favors their agenda, and buys Judges even on the Supreme court. There is a reason that women are the minority on the court. A reason that the one woman 'conservative' member broke her Oath to the Constitution and voted to end settled law that allowed women to have control over their reproductive choices , and even allow them to have emergency care, when not having that care can kill them! That was a traitorous thing to do as she joined the hateful misogynist men in the majority tp break their oath to follow the Constitution. now forcing women to perish for not having emergency care. This is pure evil, and murder. a capital crime.
Wealth inequality was to blame for the power that allowed Republicans to buy seats in power and legislation that is favorable for them. they were able to prevent the ending of the filibuster that prevented votes against keeping the Electoral College, that favors them. They prevent the passage of the ERA. even though it has been ratified in the requisite number of states. they are the enemies of women of all races and creeds. A blight on the world.
Paul asks a legitimate question, tRUMP was a bad "choice" made long ago by those with ulterior motives, those who wanted the "supreme" court to make a ruling like Citizens United. the very rich who will get most of the tax "breaks" that are coming and breaking our country.
We all know that Trump HATES Puerto Rico, and that presents a problem. Puerto Rico, which is as much a part of America as is (for example) FLORIDA, already HAS an "official language", and it's NOT English. It's Spanish, the language spoken by 95% of the citizens of Puerto Rico. How will Trump screw with these long-time victims of Trump's cruelty? How will he FORCE English on them? Perhaps the same way he'll force it on everyone with skin just a little bit darker than average, even in the continental USA.
READ ON, if you dare...MWUHAHAH!
While we're on the topic of SCREWING, will Trump REQUIRE ENGLISH PROFICIENCY for such things as employment eligibility, health care access, and housing? I would not be the least bit surprised if he does. (I live in the Deep South, and something tells me these proudly illiterate (but white) fools here will be asked to read PEANUTS from the Sunday funnies to qualify for a TRUMP-GOVERNMENT job, while a Hispanic person who graduated from the Sorbonne will be asked to recite Shakespeare...from memory, in order to be allowed to vote in the country of their birth..
"He was one of the three authors of the Great Barrington Declaration, which was developed at an October 2020 meeting of a libertarian think tank. It recommended the United States strive for Covid herd immunity through mass infection and focus on sequestering particularly vulnerable populations, such as older Americans."
A large number of public health experts and organizations assailed this approach. A collection of these groups responded: “If followed, the recommendations in the Great Barrington Declaration would haphazardly and unnecessarily sacrifice lives. The declaration is not a strategy, it is a political statement. It ignores sound public health expertise. It preys on a frustrated populace… The suggestions put forth by the Great Barrington Declaration are NOT based in science.” "
Bhattacharya, who advanced the paranoid idea that the pandemic was being used to create a “biosecurity state,” was hailed by libertarians, conservatives, and MAGA-ites for his defiance—even as public health experts noted he had not presented a workable plan to achieve herd immunity while protecting at-risk Americans. He went on to champion himself as a victim of censorship." "
Just exactly what we need MORE OF...another frucking MORON.
It is no mere happenstance that many billionaires are libertarian and eve Social Darwinists. They favor herd immunity because they feel protected by their wealth, which allows them "splendid isolation." Thus herd immunity is for the masses only.
What I find terrifying is that there are numerous billionaires building survival bunkers in New Zealand. (Zuck's is on the Hawaiian island he owns, and the WalMart kids (seemingly) have theirs in Arkansas...for some reason. But it seems most of the others may be planned for NZ. Talk about "splendid isolation". and not necessarily the Warren Zevon song.)
Why NZ? Many "apocalypse preppers" seem to be acting on the premise that NZ may be the place on Earth that will most quickly recover from an apocalypse.
As if these billionaires actually think that their descendants will come crawling out of that hole in some 500,000 years. (If true, is the game now to be THE BILLIONAIRE with the MOST GENES on the "new" surface of planet Earth?)
"Today perhaps we can still attempt to laugh at the thought of the fabulously wealthy “WalMart kids”, spending the remainder of eternity in an underground bunker in Arkansas, (or many American billionaires frantically digging bunkers in New Zealand), forever testing the bounds of paranoia and trust in questioning who is actually in control in their photosynthesis-free world of echoing metal walls. But what’s the thrill of being the last human if you can only shout your domination to dark, empty tunnels? Examined more carefully, if survival alone becomes the reason for another day, how different will our own scenarios really be from their dream of success, as underground generator fuel supplies run low and memories of sunshine fade?"
But whose votes will be counted? The GOP has gerrymandered and registration-purged and mail-restricted and precinct relocated and hours-limited and machine-breakdowns at select locations and restricted ID (no college students!) my sentence is gone but GOP has the fix in just fine.
Mmerose, we absolutely MUST safeguard the right to vote for everyone. We MUST demand a hand count at the next few elections to ensure there is no cheating and we MUST take these republicans to court over the cheating they are doing with the voting process!
I wish I knew the answer to that. I think we must adopt the kitchen sink approach and throw as much against the tyrant and his cohorts as possible. Gum up the works, cast sand in the gears. Slow things down. We need to boycott compliant corporations. We need to take to the streets. We need to use the media and not be used or ignored by it. We must pursue every possible action in the courts. I’m open to every possible approach — except that of violence. Let the fascists be the first to resort to blood.
100% agree with you, Michael! I will do every single thing I possibly can! We must follow the late and great John Lewis's advice. We must "get into good trouble"! The times call for it! We must protest and protest loudly! I'm quite surprised that others are choosing to remain so quiet and passive about this!
Especially as tRump is so het up about “raw” earth. 🤣 Chk in w Seth Meyers on that! Thx, Robert, for calling out the many ‘widdle scawrd’ Dems, I think the old phrase was “lily-livered milquetoasts!” Get it together, people, make some Noise! (But Smart, not just Loud!) And what does one suppose was a “moderate Nazi” in the late 1940’s?
I think the phrase we should promote for that is #FamiliesFirst. Also, only Democrats will consider #22ndCenturyThinking. Not to be too apocalyptic about it, but monopoly capitalism as promoted by #RepubloFascists like Trump and Elon will light the fuse on our species.
You've said the most important point: the current path and complacency by privileged lawmakers is literally killing all hopes for humanity and other precious lives by allowing this madness. Adults must become adults and deal with this crisis caused by delinquents!
Right now the Democratic party is the minority in Congress. It is a Republican Congress in both the House and the Senate. Democrats are speaking out but who is listening?
Kathleen, good article. The problem began with Reagan: "government is the problem". Ever since, the R's have played to this by trying to cut government, then giving out tax cuts.
Tax cuts, though most have gone to tbe wealthy, have benefited almost all in a much quicker fashion than changes to other government policy.
This is the fundamental problem D's face---no one wants to wait, and the longer this goes unsolved, the more dire the needs of the angry voters.
That creates a problem of communication: how do D's communicate that THEIR method of changing government for the better to HELP people works better than tax cuts??? If we don't figure out the answer to this SOON, there will be nothing left of good government.
BTW, college gap began at the SAME TIME as the rise in cost of college. I finished with Masters in 1984, by the time I considered doctorate (2000) costs were out of sight. You can't get a doctorate at a junior college, and while those alternatives are cheaper for undergrad, they aren't as good as a state or private university in terms of quality or offerings.
Indeed, all those who warned us of the apocalypse if Trump were elected! Including on the Republican side...Their silence is so deafening that I'm worried about 2026 as well!
Lisa, “Apocalypse” is originally from the ancient Greeks, not the bible. The dictionary meaning is “To uncover that which was hidden often ending with a sense of revelation.”
“We are in the stage of apocalypse, the uncovering of the darkness that is no longer hidden. Capitalists and capitalism have reared their ugly heads only to soon be chopped off by their own actions. We must not miss this opportunity to be at the head of change. But remember, truth tellers tend to be reviled by those committed to closing their eyes. We must be strong, and righteousness will prevail.” (From Crisis and Transition Substack) https://crisistransition.substack.com/p/beyond-apocalypse
One revelation we are now uncovering is that we cannot look to the Democratic Party hacks to save us. To me, they are proving that our current form of governance and economics with supposed “checks and balances” can be too easily corrupted.
I firmly believe that the madness, greed and fear of speaking up will be ended by an inevitable Economic Depression. At that time, will be the opportunity to revise our government and economy onto one that serves WE THE PEOPLE.
I agree, Marc, with one point of emphasis. I do believe that no effective resistance will occur until we reach the lowest point. However, I don’t even want to imagine what that will look like. We have no idea what this mad king can stoop to.
Nor am i confident that we the people will be in control of the effort to restore our democracy. We seem to be handing off our destiny to our sworn enemies.
In the meantime, i devote myself to whatever RESISTANCE the moment calls for. It is becoming a matter of preserving my dignity as a human being and citizen.
Obama is the only one that’s still coherent . He speaks but too many don’t listen . And we’re a racist country . God are we racist . Even the Christian’s look racist after supporting racist criminal mad man trump like they did.
Indeed, tRUMP wants to replace education with indoctrination of young men to be Pimps, and rapists of sex slaves. See the way he interfered with Romania/ to get the Tate brothers out of having to face consequences for imprisoning and repeatedly pimping a girl as young as 15. He sees nothing wrong with seeing women and girls as "Hoes".
And we will never see the Epstein files. It's not just some social philosophy, how can there be doubt that Trump fully, enthusiastically participated in the uber-gang of pedophiles? Any common sense decrees that the Tates have stashed somehow some tasty footage of Trump.
No. They just don't have any power. Trump cut Biden off from the traditional national security briefings, for heavens sakes! But even knowing security clearance stuff that maybe the rest of the Presidents know, it's only advisory to the current president, and you think Trump is interested?
They have the power to speak out. They were the leaders of a great nation, as such what they say has immense influence, you don’t need security clearances to speak from the heart. Also, as former leaders you think they really need formal clearances to pick up the phone and have their questions answered.
Hell, he in in cahoots with our enemies. He IS an enemy of all of US, except the worst billionaires and women haters, racists and Nazi leaning types. HE must go! He doesn't even care if we have accurate weather reports! Health care to prevent Ebola and similar diseases. He is Nuts,
We dont need more people to lament. We need positive forward motion from democrats to create a new world that isnt based on bullying and treason. Pull us out of this!!!
Dr Reich. I've never agreed with you more! Nice fire. Bravo! I'm looking forward to at least some of the congressional Democrats take your advice. I'd love to see some colonial uniforms - and Civil War Union blue uniforms, as well. I like that shouting, "IT'S A TAX!" idea too. I'd just love to hear someone to scream "SHUT YOUR DAMN LYIN' MOUTH, TRAITOR!" May the Democrats show as much fire today as you have this morning.
What I'd really like better to see is for some number of Democrats to show up carrying a kosh and use them without mercy on the first MAGgots that try to start trouble - and don't worry about who strikes the first blow. Give 'em a "reality TV" version of WWE. But that's just wishful thinking.
Those Dems who attend the speech should wear blue and yellow- Ukraine 🇺🇦 colors. And be Loud! Yes, make good trouble. T-rump will get flustered, go off script be him wacko, ridiculous self. 👏
I think the idea of attending the speech and raising a ruckus (all broadcast to the world on TV) is much better than boycotting the speech.
It's time to stand up and say, "NO!" instead of rolling over and playing dead. In fact, rolling over and playing dead will turn into the real thing if they wait too long; dictators seldom leave potential opponents alive, even if they've been playing dead.
Moving production facilities into this country doesn't solve our problems. It helps solve the tariff issues, but the true essence of the move goes unrealized. The consumer wants prices to go down. Moving their factories into this country exposes the production side of the equation to the high hourly wages of the American workforce. Yes, there is a positive side to having goods and services produced in our own country, but the price points the consumer will be forced to contend with is beyond acceptable. Trump's position on tariffs is foolhardy and reckless, the man has no experience in economics and his lack of understanding surrounding how our people exist is alien at best. Vance is a self-professed Hillbilly who takes great pleasure in his ability to kiss Trump's ass. The Doobie Brothers are in way over their heads and neither knows how to swim. Trump addresses congress tonight, what will the Democrats do to show their displeasure with the asinine manner in which Donnie Boy is conducting business. During Trump's "talk," I would have the Democratic side of the aisle pay strict attention to the truth. Every time Trump stated a known lie, one member of the Democratic assembly should stand up and leave the proceedings. By the time Trump finished his speech there most likely wouldn't be anyone from our side of the aisle still left in the room.
Yup! Keeping wages low is essential to The Plan. But there already is this underground student loan slave economy. I don't know the history of how student debt got exempted from statutes of limitation/bankruptcy?
Trump has just implemented the tariffs against Canada and Mexico. Canada's response has been very swift in announcing counter traiffs and other measures. Canada's Prime Minister Trudeau spoke directly to the American people pointing out how damaging this dumb tradewar (which Trump started) is to people on both sides of the border. Canadians have already started a boycott of buying all things made in the USA and are now also vowing not to visit the USA. How is that helping anybody? But it is one man - Trump - who started all this.
Very true. I think there is a very personal aspect to Donald Trump's dealing with his allies. He has made very clear that he does not like Zelensky and the sentiment applies to Canada's PM Justin Trudeau. This is on top of Trump's desire to have everybody tremble in their boots and kiss his ring (or some other part of his anatomy). Well, neither Zelensky nor Trudeau did that, as we have seen on Friday and Trudeau's speech on CNN this morning. I wish I could say the same about the GOP Congressmen, just look at Lindsey Graham's statement on Friday that he has "never been more proud of his president". Carlos Gimenez (R - Florida) was not much better today.
What Trump is doing is alienate all of USA's allies and he is dragging the USA down with him - as a single person. This will do nothing positive for anybody, including - well particularly -the USA.
Democrats must first recognize that Trump, the Republican party, Republicans in Congress, and Musk with his DOGE are engaged in an ongoing insurrection with Putin to destroy democracy, the rule of law, and human rights that violates federal law (18 U.S. Code § 2383). The law defines a felony crime as “whoever assists or engages in any rebellion or insurrection against the authority of the United States or the laws thereof”. The insurrection aims to take America back to before 1776 with a KING (Putin as KING with Trump as a Baron leasing America as a fiefdom from the KING) and let Trump run the fiefdom with oligarchs as the old South which provided all the wealth to rich white men as property holders who exploited inhuman cruel slavery and treated all women as slaves.
Then Democrats must adopt a PLAN that begins with enacting and enforcing a new state law modeled after the federal law (18 U.S. Code § 2383) in 7 states where Democrats control the state government. California could be the first state to enact and enforce the law within 90 days which would remove the 9 Republican representatives from California in the Congressional House. The House would then have a Democratic majority of 2024 to 2009 with Jefferies as Speaker of the House to control the budget and make sure Ukraine and Medicaid are fully funded and there will be no tax cuts for the rich. Maryland, New Jersey and Colorado could follow to collectively remove another 8 Republican representatives in the House and then also remove 4 conservative justices from the Supreme Court changing the Court to 3 liberals and 2 conservatives to block any more conservative Court actions favorable to Trump, Republicans, and oligarchs.
The Constitution in Article I, Section 6, Clause 1 allows members of Congress to be arrested, indicted, and convicted for the felony crime of insurrection that violates state law enforced with imprisonment up to ten years with mandatory permanent removal and prevention from holding office.
The Constitution does not establish judicial immunity for any judge including federal judges or Supreme Court Justices. Therefore, Supreme Court Justices can be arrested, indicted, and convicted for the felony crime of insurrection and enforced with imprisonment up to ten years and mandatory permanent removal and prevention from holding office.
There is no negotiation possible between the effort to destroy democracy by Trump/Musk/Vance and the rest of us who just want to live our lives. Whether people want to admit it or not, our lives and the lives of our children and grandchildren depend on opposing this tyranny in every way we can. Now. Later will be too late.
I understand that feeling. For me, the deed is done. But I deeply worry about what my children’s lives will be like.
Also, consider the world where people of good heart decline to have children and those who are best at hating copy themselves ad nauseam. Musk has at least eight children now. Imagine a world of Musks.
I worry not just about humanity. I see us accelerating into the Holocene or anthropocene extinction event. I shudder at the thought of a remnant humanity living on top of the ruins of what once was a beautiful blue planet.
A wise man I used to attend meetings with now and then, who was a Gold history specialist, used to say, if your gold and silver undergo major appreciation, Be Careful What You Wish For. As in, general social conditions may be ugly. So look at the $GOLD index, interestingly, for the whole past year. I call it the Doom Index. It could be worse than we imagine.
Professor Reich: i think ameriKKKa is already in the clutches of a fascist dictator, although i'm not sure where that bright shining line was crossed (i think there were several lines that agent orange and fElonMust crossed on their way into fascism, and those lines were crossed with the finesse of a bull in a china shop.)
as far as the democrats go ... i have completely given up on them. they do not care about their constituents or their nation: this is plain to see for anyone with functioning eyes in their heads. the rest of the citizenry is going to either die early due to lack of healthcare, medicines and vaccines, executions due to non-compliance or lack of cooperation, or due to overwork in ameriKKKa's crypto mines of abject servitude. we are becoming "little russia", filled with dispirited, unimaginative people who are crushed beyond all hope or repair. the only person i see who might be our alexei navaly is pete buttigieg, but i've not heard a peep out of him for over a week. in a situation such as this, we need to hear from pete daily, just so we know he's thinking of us and fighting alongside us.
Why are you singling him out? I say where are all the Democrats, are there any Republicans who care, who have a conscience, an iota of courage? Have they all turned their back on the ideals of the country they swore to serve? Has the entire Republican Party aligned themselves with Russia?
Thanks, Professor Reich, for spelling out much of what I’ve felt in recent weeks about the Democratic Party and the Democratic legislators who have too-conveniently disappeared at one of the most critical moments in American history, and in my lifetime.
More vocal opposition, better ideas for healing our deep fractures as a country, and a commitment to fight against tyranny are just a few things that Democrats have completely dropped the ball on. I don’t care about our two-party system anymore for this reason. Democrats can take a flying leap off a proverbial cliff; I would vote for the Munchkins if they came to the fight at hand with a visible spine and an articulate message.
For those of us with families in the US & in Europe, we suffer a double whammy. Never in my life did I imagine that the US would elect a Russian - dare I say - "agent" as President?? Follow historian of fascism Ruth Ben-Ghiat to understand how deeply subservient to Putin Trump is; even she is shocked. He is stopping all operations that watch/counter Russia, giving Europe to Putin, inviting oligarchs to the US, and purposefully staging humiliations of world leaders, who are bending over to him because they need US money. Instead of attending the Oscar parties, Nancy Pelosi should clear all her cronies out and let the next generation take over - and let's hear them before it's too late!!
One of the Democrats’ big problems is that they consistently let themselves be out-manured. They need to fight back, and not politely. We are long past the stage of politics being a polite discussion. Sadly the Democrats don’t seem to have gotten the memo.
The Democratic Party Leaders losing strategy is that they are playing a defense in an offensive game. The Trumplican's WWE K-Fabe spectacles are winning the game and delighting the "ring rats"who represent the MAGA minority.
Meanwhile, the Pro-Democracy majority, those of us living in reality, are left out of the spotlight.
Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren or Chris Murphy are masters of deploying the raw "smackdowns" that get people's attention. They need to get into the ring.
Abraham Lincoln said,
"I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the REAL FACTS".
" Men who are capable of real action first make their plans and then go forward without hesitation while their enemies have still not made up their minds." Thucydides And I would add in there women as well. Heck yes I would!
If all of us here take Dr. Reich’s advice and make the suggested phone calls to our Democratic electeds, maybe our voices will be heard. Let’s flood the zone and as succinctly stated in the post… WAKE THEM THE HELL UP!
Great ideas. But also keep the outrage directed at the Republicans. I am convinced the spate of articles and columns today attacking Dems is yet more Putin disinformation. Please keep all your efforts on illuminating what the Republicans have destroyed and are about to do. All the headlines tomorrow should be about the evil of this government and the Republican party.
Here is my inspiration for the week, from the 25 year od Sugarbush snow reporter in Vermont:
. I hope that, instead of faulting Sugarbush management or employees for “allowing this to happen”, you can direct your anger to the source — the Administration that, in my oh-so-humble opinion, is threatening our democracy, our livelihoods, our land.
He should’ve been disqualified from running the first time. There was enough evidence. He should’ve been disqualified many times since. Nobody did it. All the investigations were ignored. It’s like there are moles undermining every step.
I agree. But "shoulda, woulda, coulda" doesn't matter anymore. What matters are ideas for some sort of strategy and/or plan, for arresting/ousting this mess in the White House and rebuilding and protecting whatever is left of America. There are Democrats who are speaking out, but they are not being heard for whatever reason. Why aren't they front and center in the news, too? My guess there is a bit (or a lot) of censorship going on in the media. In the end, Trump is the smallest of men with no courage and a weak mind and so are the people surrounding him.
The media is owned by the billionaires. We saw them on the stage at tRUMP'S inauguration. The "power behind the 'throne'.
Just like the 'Robber Barrons' of the Guilded Age and the runup to the Great Depression, the monied class is trying to take control of government and society. This time they added to the brew by attracting the Dominionist right-wing Christians and have the whole right-wing propaganda machine fanning the flames. They have a deadly stew of misinformation and daily 'talking points' which keep the faithful angry at The Other'. I honestly believe they are addicted to their anger.Against this our best efforts may be for naught... But, we need to fight anyway.
Democrats must first recognize that Trump, the Republican party, Republicans in Congress, and Musk with his DOGE are engaged in an ongoing insurrection with Putin to destroy democracy, the rule of law, and human rights that violates federal law (18 U.S. Code § 2383). The law defines a felony crime as “whoever assists or engages in any rebellion or insurrection against the authority of the United States or the laws thereof”. The insurrection aims to take America back to before 1776 with a KING (Putin as KING with Trump as a Baron leasing America as a fiefdom from the KING) and let Trump run the fiefdom with oligarchs as the old South which provided all the wealth to rich white men as property holders who exploited inhuman cruel slavery and treated all women as slaves.
Then Democrats must adopt a PLAN that begins with enacting and enforcing a new state law modeled after the federal law (18 U.S. Code § 2383) in 7 states where Democrats control the state government. California could be the first state to enact and enforce the law within 90 days which would remove the 9 Republican representatives from California in the Congressional House. The House would then have a Democratic majority of 2024 to 2009 with Jefferies as Speaker of the House to control the budget and make sure Ukraine and Medicaid are fully funded and there will be no tax cuts for the rich. Maryland, New Jersey and Colorado could follow to collectively remove another 8 Republican representatives in the House and then also remove 4 conservative justices from the Supreme Court changing the Court to 3 liberals and 2 conservatives to block any more conservative Court actions favorable to Trump, Republicans, and oligarchs.
The Constitution in Article I, Section 6, Clause 1 allows members of Congress to be arrested, indicted, and convicted for the felony crime of insurrection that violates state law enforced with imprisonment up to ten years with mandatory permanent removal and prevention from holding office.
The Constitution does not establish judicial immunity for any judge including federal judges or Supreme Court Justices. Therefore, Supreme Court Justices can be arrested, indicted, and convicted for the felony crime of insurrection and enforced with imprisonment up to ten years and mandatory permanent removal and prevention from holding office.
Time to fight, no hold barred, and I mean fight, enough of this milquetoast, I am better than that, good two shoes. The worses thing that has happened to us of late is "When they go low, we go high", that mentality has brought Putin to the Offal Office.
Interesting concept. I have just come off watching CNN. One of the people they interviewed for comment stated that Trump shows more and more that he actually HATES the USA. It is high time for all lawmakers and all governors, of both parties to stand up. However, CNN also interviewed Republican Congressman Carlos Gimenez (FL) who just defended Trump's decision to suspend military aid to Ukraine and vote against the UN Resolution (along with Russia, North Korea and Belarus) which condemned the Russian aggression against Ukraine. It was sickening to watch this and shows (inexplicably) how spineless almost all GOP Congressmen are.
They are all products of the Rightwing Propaganda Machine. Shining the light of truth on them has been particularly ineffective.
I don't think there's anyone left to enforce this. They've been in violation for years. Since the J6 insurrection fascists have only increased and consolidated their power. Their coup results was made possible by a persuasive and relentless propaganda machine. Is it possible to mirror Their talking points in style and use that to get facts and truth widely broadcasted ?
Mary,
Democrats in 7 states that have a Democrat as governor and attorney general and have Democrats in control of the legislature can enforce the law on insurrection beginning with new state law. The news media is useless and complicit. The message should be "enforce the law on insurrection stupid".
Ten years in I'm feeling jaded and traumatized by the lack of effective action against this movement. I repeatedly thought the red line had been crossed and would spur Congress to act. Now I'm having a hard time hoping elected officials will rise to the moment
yes just do what the GOP does in media and do it better
What basis would you use to remove the Representatives? Does 18 U.S.C. ss 2383 allow it?
The penalty for the crime described in the law is arrest and imprisonment up to ten years and permanent incapability of holding office. The Constitution permits the penalty and the state law that can be written would do the removal after arrest and conviction. The state law applyies to residents of the state including representatives in government.
This is a compelling reply. Are you an attorney? Do you publish elsewhere? Can I follow you? My nonprofit Democracy4All might be interested in working with you. If you reply to my reply I will see it in my email, and we can connect.
If you mean me, I'm a retired attorney. I'll take a look into your nonprofit and would be willing to chat.
And somewhat in the context of "Robber Barons", the headline to follow seems almost supernaturally appropriate....
"Supreme Court Makes It Harder For EPA To Police Sewage Discharges
The 5-4 decision is the latest in which conservative justices have reined in pollution control efforts."
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/supreme-court-epa-sewage-water_n_67c7325fe4b060015d57b821
With the emphasis on SEWAGE DISCHARGES involving Trump and the Supreme(sic) Court.
SCOTUS is leaking sewage discharges on America. So is Trump.
That’s sad …but we are still here … RIGHT HERE. And on social media. And talking to each other on Substacks. We need to BE the public that spreads the news … I have a lot of friends who have quit Facebook, but I am still there {if she has not changed her page today, then so is HRC and a lot of others} because I can POST THINGS ThERE STILL, and they are not taken down — I talk to friends I could not reach elsewhere, and we spread the resistance … I will do BlueSky, too — of course!! — but it does not right now have the reach of the old Twitter OR Facebook. I want us to be pragmatic, and be LOUD.
Take to the streets.
I believe in in-person demonstrations, but this time around, we do NOT want to let uproar rule — The Donald wants to sic the cops and the army on us and delcare Martial Law — we don’t want him to have ANY excuse to do that.
Kent State was a horrible thing. We don’t want to give him that excuse …
Be loud .. Be present …Be careful …
I am encouraged by the many, many people who showed up loud and careful in the Mad River Valley to drive JD Vance off our wonderful ski slopes and into “an undisclosed location” by virtue of numbers and signs and cheers and determination and NO UPROAR.
Way to go, Vermont (I lived in the Mad River Valley for ten years — still live in Vermont).
Speaking of "the streets"...
Is anyone else as heartbroken as I am to see how the heroic and courageous LECH WALESA is referenced in the below headline? "Polish Cold War Hero". Unbelievable...
"Polish Cold War Hero Slams 'Insulting' Trump-Zelenskyy Meeting: 'We Are Shocked'
Lech Wałęsa, who helped topple his Communist government in 1989, rebuked President Donald Trump in a letter signed by 38 other former political prisoners."
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/lech-walesa-slams-trump-zelenskyy-meeting_n_67c6dd19e4b04a0d2ffb3744
The media is wall-to-wall right-wing. Our leaders didn't do their homework on mind-control, brainwashing, and psychological warfare. Mind control is real.
I fear you are correct. The Right has learned the art of propaganda. War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength.
The insidious and surreptitious infiltration by authoritarian capitalists of our public airwaves. Most people are oblivious!?! Not me. I address this clandestine anomally, to whoever will listen, including my Congresspeople. Our democracy being overtaken by greed, avarice and malevolence by media moguls is real! Please don't let it happen.
News sells the media. Democrats have to start being as outrageous as Trump. Give speeches comparing Trump to Putin - throw red paint on pictures of Trump, get nasty. The media will follow but not if Democrats keep playing like little puppies and kitties.
Yes Alan ; "When they go low we let fly!" No more Mr. nice guy".
I agree, the opposition needs a definite plan. Whilst I don't think mass vengeance and retribution would be sensible, the leadership (Musk, Vance, Voight, Trump et al) need to put on trial for Treason and Sedition (At the moment their crimes dont merit execution...not yet). There also needs to be a major programme of deradicalisation. Even if the Musk/Trump regime is ousted there will still be millions of dangerously fanatical Nazis left within America. Basically, the US (post-Musk/Trump) faces similar dangers to post-WW2 Germany or Italy dealing with the contamination of their fascist past.
False information is not free speech, and spreading it should be illegal.
And ours are armed to the teeth
It seems to me the Dems could designate a weekly ? event where they have their spokesperson ( or people) speak to the nation. This would be an addition to, not a replacement, of individual Dems in Congress (or prominent elites out of office).
Also, they need to bring into such events new voices, new faces. And make it newsworthy-the mom who lost her child because Musk cut off aid. Don't try and overcontrol the message.
This SOTU response will be an opportunity for Slotkin to talk about planned actions by the Party (like a weekly event) and others things. If she just gives a rah rah with no follow on organizing action it will be a missed opportunity.
It would convey a sense that the Dems are organized and speaking with one voice when they need to.
Maybe Reich can help promote such an idea.
AI
House Democrats hold a weekly press briefing. For example, House Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar and Vice Chairman Ted Lieu typically hold their press conference on Thursdays. These briefings cover various topics and provide updates on the party's stance on current issues.
Good idea, Steve. Last summer Ron Filipowski on the Meidas Network highlighted how Christian Nationalists and other far right groups have become experts in propagandizing their platforms in town halls and church meetings. The Dems are ages behind them with pushback.
I added to my original remark. It would be an opportunity for Dems to show fresh and younger faces to the electorate.
Not sure they can do it. So fucking insular. They better start taking some risks cause the trajectory is going bad and quickly.
I’ve been railing in my comments that the Damnocrats have got to get off their disassociated butts and COME TOGETHER in protests and pro-democracy rallies confronting Trumphuk / Muskalini and the Project 2025 weasels that have taken over and are killing our democracy.
It’s fine that Senators Murphy, Warner, Kaine, and Congressman/ woman Vindman, Cortez,et al have spoken up individually and even shown up at protests. This requires much more. The democratic “leaders” need to cohere an opposition and act on it.
We need a real sustained opposition movement—no sitting this one out.
Say NO to DOGE dictatorship!
he's the worst kind of person to be handed power,especially enormous power-he has delusions of grandeur
That's not all he has. He has delusions that he is human.
nicely put
"PROFESSIONAL ACTORS"
That's ALMOST funny, considering that pretty much everyone hanging out around the Golden Escalator at Trump Tower back in 2015 was paid $50 to wear those Trump shirts, after responding to specific ads for actors.
"Republican Leaders Tell Members To Avoid Town Halls, ‘Professional Protesters’
The spectacle of explosive town hall meetings has Republicans shifting tactics to downplay voter anger"
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/republican-town-hall-protests_n_67c721c3e4b03c5688a7d60a
I remember -who thought that would lead to this truth is stranger and worse than fiction
To some extent, the problem is they ARE there, and we keep saying they are NOT, which suppresses their message instead of amplifying in it. .Instead of saying they are not there, we need to repost what we see and hear!!!!!!!!!
< https://youtu.be/rZt5-oQzsnI?si=kOLxWDbpa_uin20d>
< https://kyivindependent.com/us-senator-bernie-sanders-trump-likes-what-putin-does/>
< https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bernie-sanders-face-the-nation-transcript-02-02-2025/>
THERE’S PLENtY MORE … go get it …post it on your social media …Be what we need … !
Go get 'em, Pat! We can't afford to wait until April 19th!
if i had a bigger voice, you can damed well believe you’d hear me .. But a shitload of little voices make a BIG SOUND .. We need to make a big sound
AND w need to put our energy into letting conservative legislators know they CAN oppose trump and not abandon their own lives …
We've crossed the Rubicon so many times. If these people were capable of conscience or shame they would long ago have stood in opposition. I say no time now for futile endeavors. Boycotts, National Strike. Hound D's to refuse en masse to give any votes for any thing they do
agree --the media shortchanges Dem leaders who do speak out.
You are correct, Cara, Dems, reformed Republicans like Kinzinger, and Independents like Bernie need to be front and center in the faces Mukz, Drump, Wanze and the cowards who sup of their swill. Take an example from MP Charlie Angus of Canada whose opinions are featured often on the Meidas Touch podcast. Since he has the voice of our northern neighbors, he does not hold back with his lashings of our decrepit fascist admin. in any way. We need more like him on this side to back us out from Hell.
That wasn’t a woulda shoulda coulda comment; it was a BS call. There’s stuff behind the scenes that isn’t being addressed.
So why do they seem to be winning?
define "winning". It's a good question. Appearances are 90% of politics : it is so if people think so (e.g. he's winning).
The media does a bad job on the laws that Trump has broken and may have broken with not enough follow up. In part because the administration is a black hole when they want--I'm sure we need FOIAs.
AI:
FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) requests are being lodged against the Trump administration in 2025. For instance, organizations like Democracy Forward have filed FOIA requests to investigate the administration's use of artificial intelligence in personnel decisions. Additionally, there have been legal challenges regarding the administration's claim that certain departments, like the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), are exempt from FOIA requests.These actions highlight ongoing efforts to ensure transparency and accountability.
https://democracyforward.org/updates/dol-doge-discovery-022725/
There is no Democratic "echo machine." Learn how to dominate the air waves every day.
The country is stuck with trump and the useless GOP who "weaseled" their way into power. The Dems are not fighting back. Elissa Slotkin, Dem senator from Michigan who will be responding to tonight's address by trump said in January (re Laken Riley Act) "....the nation must get past petty partisanship" and then voted for the Act.....”. So pathetically complacent and naive.
There is nothing to get past. It's long gone. It's a rogue gvt, a fascist regime.
Democrats are doing a MASSIVE DISSERVICE to the country if they proceed on the basis that there is even a shred of will (or decency) on the part of republicans to cooperate in governing.
Wake up Dems. Republicans have left the building, vamoosed into the barren landscape of trump's deranged mind - to the point that they are even attempting to convince Americans to swallow the same deadly kool-aid they've been happily imbibing for years and which has thoroughly rotted their brains. Democrats, are you open to taste testing the kool-aid? Looks like it. What a shame.
Sure Paul, but why were all crimes, missteps and idiotic ideas ignored? Who were accountable for this neglect of duties?
Moron AG Garland should have trump in prison right now. He was afraid of trumps mob at his door I guess. So he started on trump late , too late .
Merrick Garland was a SUPER BIGTIME LOSER!!!!! I CALLED HIM ALL THE TIME AT THE JUSTICE DEPT. AND TOLD HIM SO!
Actually, it started long before Garland. Throughout Trump's time as a real estate developer in New York City, he was able to get away with all sorts of offenses without ever being held to account. With the hundreds of millions of dollars from his sugar daddy father, he was able to buy his way out of trouble with generous contributions to election campaigns and officeholders' favored charities. New Yorkers viewed him as a source of entertainment, not to be taken seriously.
Sh*tmouth tRump should have been stopped YEARS AGO in New York City. Long before he got involved in national politics, he was involved in NYC's corrupt politics, thereby avoiding any punishment for manifestly criminal or simply illegal actions: tax fraud, landlord neglect and racist discrimination, cheating people who contracted to do work for him, and on and on. The list is almost unbelievable. And yet, he was never stopped right here in NYC.
Mitch McConnell.
Mmerose, I do believe it was McConnell who orchestrated most of this insanity we are now facing. He should have known and done better, but alas, he was victim of flattery and just plain not caring about this nation. I suspect he was paid off too, but don't know that for certain. One would think that would be irrelevant since his wife is from a rich family, but I guess one can never have enough if one is enormously greedy as our oligarchs and wannabees are.
Paid off? Interesting . I have long felt that trump was blackmailing McConnell. I have absolutely no evidence to support this, just a feeling. McConnell could have stopped him in his tracks, but didn’t. The question is why didn’t he?
Have read often that stacking the Supreme Court for the Republicans was mc connell' s dream..his reason for being! He planned, executed with quiet precision...over the years.
Why??? The realization of seeing his life's work accomplished.???..adulation of his peers.???...the payoff was neverending...??? all.of these combined...???
Whatever his reason...he sold out his family, his constituents, his country, in my opinion.
There is a word for infamous men like mc connell ....who work to defeat all this beloved country. You know it! I know it!
mc connell ...in all truth...knows it well...he's lived it!
Will not print that word here..but will print one which shouts out my abhorrence of this man and his legacy....
SHAME...SHAME ON YOU!
It was indeed McConnell & crew who refused to impeach & said that criminal justice courts would do the job! (Something like that) All I’m saying is if they’d impeached him this wouldn’t have happened. So yes McConnell holds a lot of responsibility for what has happened now!
Hell to Mitch McConnell!
SPOT ON, Mmerose...!!!
SPOT ON!!!!!
The American people are responsible. The gullible, reality tv watching ignorant lazy Americans.
We're not all like that. But a quarter of us are. Another quarter are content to freeload on a democracy they don't understand or care about.
The rest of us care, and can fight and argue and disagree, but we care.
Tom, I wonder why the Republican party is not in the crosshairs? now that things are looking unsalvageable, we see the constituents of the Republicans hopping mad, I don't think it is fair to blame Democrats again. Because of wealth inequality , Democrats had to build war chests to even qualify for a run for office. Money in politics was the problem, not those seeking a voice while being less wealthy.
Laurie, I don't believe Professor Reich was blaming the Democrats. I think he was suggesting that turn-about is fair play. Republicans booed and insulted President Biden every time he tried to speak. Professor Reich gave suggestions to the Democrats that would make republicans pay attention! I am sure the republicans are in the crosshairs of their constituents. They are mad, but are they mad enough to vote that orange mushroom out of office? Are they mad enough to select candidates that will work FOR them instead of one man? I hope Democrats do get into "good trouble" for all of us!
The worry I have is that tRUMP has no sense of decency and fairness. We saw the disrespect shown to President Biden, and others, that does not mean that the toddler in chief will be able to fairly handle much deserved pushback. He reserves the right to be a tyrant and does not care who it hurts when he is unfair, or abusive. It would be brave to do some of the things that were suggested. "Slaves who can't be beaten are half free." Frederick Douglas (?)
ABSOLUTELY!!
Billionaires with brains should be afraid of Trump.
Laurie, I meant the total system that failed. The judges, Scotus, the commission that researched 6/1, the people.
And now? Congress and Senate.... Everyone is messing up, with this unfit and incompetent tribe.
What is going to happen when Trump tells he is going to retreat the U.S. from Nato? Is that a reason to deem him a traitor?
Tom, I wholeheartedly agree with you on this one. (It is) “The total system that failed,” not just the Democrats. Trump, Musk and Project 2025 are going full speed ahead destroying our Constitution, our Democracy and Our Economy. For me it is time to focus on “Build Back Better.” Out of the economic collapse that is sure to come with the population losing all purchasing power we will have to create a more equitable economy, Economic Democracy, that does not rely on capitalism for its basis.
For a stimulating read see:
https://crisistransition.substack.com/p/without-a-vision-the-people-perish
Marc, I read the article and thought about it: where originates your humanity and civility? Where mine?
I appreciate the text, but can I recognise it? For a big part, yes. But my eclectic stance gave me something else too: the European social history.
Marx and Engels to begin with, with respect, although I never was member of a communist party.
Then followers: Rosa Luxemburg, friend of Dutch writers; I wrote a thesis about her and could only give my daughter her name.
Then my study in Amsterdam, with Provo as inspiration, reading Kropotkin and Arthur Lehning. The latter was historian and inspired in the twenties in Paris, by the Russian migrants, who fled for the Russian Revolution and Lenin's regime.
I mean: history is the beginning of every human inspiration and consciousness. So inspiration can also be found in the social history of this world.
Rosa Luxemburg and other Marxists paid a high price for ignoring tribalism. Marxists put much faith in the Moscow leadership, and, ironically, we now have a capitalist American dictator showing faith in Moscow. Bizarre!
Thanks, Mark! This article is a good one to review each week!!!!!
Thank you Marc for these excellent links! I love this vision for an Economic Democracy and its humane values! These are the values I learned from my mother and have always embraced. Thus, I've always felt like a fish out of water living in a huge city in the U.S. surrounded by such different false "values" of the insatiable thirst for and addiction to money and power and sole focus on competition and "wants" of the individual leading to greed vs. cooperation with all other life forms so that we all can live and thrive. Thank you for your voice.
It is an excellent read, Marc! I am all for Economic Democracy!
On the plus, if the US leaves NATO they've not got a vote to stop Ukraine from joining.
but turkey does
Tom, yes, Trump/Musk/Vance are traitors to this nation and to our alliances.
Good points and excellent questions, Tom.
Laurie, I don't like blaming Dems, and I do want Republicans held responsible for their criminal behavior in nominating and pushing into office someone they knew full well was unqualified and a criminal. Democrats do, however need to start speaking out more loudly, more of them than just the wonderful progressives. We need that Michigan Rep this evening to call Trump and Kump out on their coup and Musk's illegal actions with his child-man team. Describe in detail in ordinary people language what tariffs are and who is going to pay, the risks to our critical social programs, Trump's flattery of and by Putin while trying to get us to betray an ally, denial of our climate crisis, and Trump/Musk's constant lying and give a bunch of scathing examples. That is what she should do. What she will do is whine about unity, that the Democrats have more to offer with little or no follow-through. She will look so sincere while mouthing just what Republicans want her to say: nothing and with little effort or context or content. Ugh!
It would be epic to see major pushback from her and everyone else. I really like Robert's idea of loud boos and signs.. the Republicans have done that when it was uncalled for. This would be fair, after what the Republicans and their Fuhrer are doing.
Laurie, I kept hearing "when they go low we go high" but what does that mean, standing aloof from the fray? I think we need to get lower so we can see what Republicans/MAGAs are doing in the deep hole they have dug for themselves and us, demand Democratic presence at Musk's theft events in the various agencies. Then, we need to call Republicans/MAGAs out on their folly, at every opportunity, and even when not expected. Right now, they are running the show, but it is time others intervene to stop them. It seems law enforcement is pretty good at shooting Black and Latine people, but not so good at stopping theft of our personal information by a troop of toddler-men who want to take over our nation. Interesting how that works!
Pushback that features signs and chants. The only thing I fear is the dirty fighting when provocateurs show up. In the 60's and 70's there were actually classes offered to help people recognize when escalation was happening. We don' t need to give him a "reason" to attack and assault. There were strategies to avoid being 'set up 'and accused of being violent and criminal. This guy wants to take away our Freedom of speech, so everything is risky .. No guts, no glory.
Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and the Project 2025 business are out to destroy any chance of a labor movement emerging in the US. This is a time for all worker to strike.
Laurie, I think it is the only thing they understand at this point! Loud boos and signs make them notice.
I agree, time to take off the gloves and push back hard.
Expressing outrage is better than doing nothing. It can be a starting point.
Laurie - yes, some of the repugnant constituents are hopping mad, but the next shiny thing will distract them. if dumpster threw them a big country concert with free beer and pot, all would be forgiven. they're that shallow.
The MAGA constituency are zombies! Not just ill-informed and innocently ignorant. They truly are zombies!
Good question, Laurie! Or phrased differently...
Can anyone identify...
1) ANY legislation that was either PROPOSED or SUPPORTED by the GOP...
2) For the purpose of helping MIDDLE-INCOME, WORKING-CLASS Americans...
3) Any time on the past 75 YEARS?
While NO ONE has yet come up with a correct answer in the YEARS I've been asking, the task of naming laws by DEMS that support all the criteria would FILL PAGES: FEMA, ACA, Unemployment insurance, Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and countless more important laws. But not only is is very difficult to come up with any legislation proposed by the GOP (other than to help the rich or harm the poor), the reality is even worse. Every law passed by Dems was BITTERLY FOUGHT by the GOP. (Even such things as Rural Electrification and Mail Delivery that are now so easily taken for granted were hard fought victories by Dems.)
What law DOES fit these criteria? The only one I can name is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The GOP didn't propose it, but they did vote for it. And that seems to say that maybe the GOP actually does realize who makes up their base, and how great their needs can be.
AND HOW ANGRY MAGA WILL BE IF MEDICARE/MEDICAID/SOCIAL SECURITY are compromised!!!
Thanks for reading...
Not only money, Laurie, organization also. The billionaires have been organizing for the past thirty years. This is how they came to control all three branches of the federal government. Perhaps they are the only ones who can derail Trump, but to undo their previous work Americans must create massive resistance. Organization is key.
Money is the Key, as they buy seats in power and get legislation that favors their agenda, and buys Judges even on the Supreme court. There is a reason that women are the minority on the court. A reason that the one woman 'conservative' member broke her Oath to the Constitution and voted to end settled law that allowed women to have control over their reproductive choices , and even allow them to have emergency care, when not having that care can kill them! That was a traitorous thing to do as she joined the hateful misogynist men in the majority tp break their oath to follow the Constitution. now forcing women to perish for not having emergency care. This is pure evil, and murder. a capital crime.
Wealth inequality was to blame for the power that allowed Republicans to buy seats in power and legislation that is favorable for them. they were able to prevent the ending of the filibuster that prevented votes against keeping the Electoral College, that favors them. They prevent the passage of the ERA. even though it has been ratified in the requisite number of states. they are the enemies of women of all races and creeds. A blight on the world.
Paul asks a legitimate question, tRUMP was a bad "choice" made long ago by those with ulterior motives, those who wanted the "supreme" court to make a ruling like Citizens United. the very rich who will get most of the tax "breaks" that are coming and breaking our country.
Laurie,
This is what has me asking questions today...
"Trump signs executive order making English the official language of the U.S."
https://www.npr.org/2025/03/01/nx-s1-5313883/trump-english-official-language-executive-order
We all know that Trump HATES Puerto Rico, and that presents a problem. Puerto Rico, which is as much a part of America as is (for example) FLORIDA, already HAS an "official language", and it's NOT English. It's Spanish, the language spoken by 95% of the citizens of Puerto Rico. How will Trump screw with these long-time victims of Trump's cruelty? How will he FORCE English on them? Perhaps the same way he'll force it on everyone with skin just a little bit darker than average, even in the continental USA.
READ ON, if you dare...MWUHAHAH!
While we're on the topic of SCREWING, will Trump REQUIRE ENGLISH PROFICIENCY for such things as employment eligibility, health care access, and housing? I would not be the least bit surprised if he does. (I live in the Deep South, and something tells me these proudly illiterate (but white) fools here will be asked to read PEANUTS from the Sunday funnies to qualify for a TRUMP-GOVERNMENT job, while a Hispanic person who graduated from the Sorbonne will be asked to recite Shakespeare...from memory, in order to be allowed to vote in the country of their birth..
Instead of resigning, people being asked to let Musk into sensitive places should call the proper authorities and have them arrested.
Speaking of "should have been disqualified"...
"Trump’s NIH Pick Made a Big Mistake on Covid
He still won’t admit that he misread the danger."
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/03/jay-battacharya-national-institutes-of-health-covid-great-barrington-trump/
"He was one of the three authors of the Great Barrington Declaration, which was developed at an October 2020 meeting of a libertarian think tank. It recommended the United States strive for Covid herd immunity through mass infection and focus on sequestering particularly vulnerable populations, such as older Americans."
A large number of public health experts and organizations assailed this approach. A collection of these groups responded: “If followed, the recommendations in the Great Barrington Declaration would haphazardly and unnecessarily sacrifice lives. The declaration is not a strategy, it is a political statement. It ignores sound public health expertise. It preys on a frustrated populace… The suggestions put forth by the Great Barrington Declaration are NOT based in science.” "
Bhattacharya, who advanced the paranoid idea that the pandemic was being used to create a “biosecurity state,” was hailed by libertarians, conservatives, and MAGA-ites for his defiance—even as public health experts noted he had not presented a workable plan to achieve herd immunity while protecting at-risk Americans. He went on to champion himself as a victim of censorship." "
Just exactly what we need MORE OF...another frucking MORON.
It is no mere happenstance that many billionaires are libertarian and eve Social Darwinists. They favor herd immunity because they feel protected by their wealth, which allows them "splendid isolation." Thus herd immunity is for the masses only.
What I find terrifying is that there are numerous billionaires building survival bunkers in New Zealand. (Zuck's is on the Hawaiian island he owns, and the WalMart kids (seemingly) have theirs in Arkansas...for some reason. But it seems most of the others may be planned for NZ. Talk about "splendid isolation". and not necessarily the Warren Zevon song.)
Why NZ? Many "apocalypse preppers" seem to be acting on the premise that NZ may be the place on Earth that will most quickly recover from an apocalypse.
As if these billionaires actually think that their descendants will come crawling out of that hole in some 500,000 years. (If true, is the game now to be THE BILLIONAIRE with the MOST GENES on the "new" surface of planet Earth?)
"Today perhaps we can still attempt to laugh at the thought of the fabulously wealthy “WalMart kids”, spending the remainder of eternity in an underground bunker in Arkansas, (or many American billionaires frantically digging bunkers in New Zealand), forever testing the bounds of paranoia and trust in questioning who is actually in control in their photosynthesis-free world of echoing metal walls. But what’s the thrill of being the last human if you can only shout your domination to dark, empty tunnels? Examined more carefully, if survival alone becomes the reason for another day, how different will our own scenarios really be from their dream of success, as underground generator fuel supplies run low and memories of sunshine fade?"
https://medium.com/@foofaraw/not-all-climate-deaths-will-be-equal-but-all-are-avoidable-cc41dfee91c9
"Everything's a party when you OWN all the party favors."
YES!!! When are they going to introduce legislation that stops CONVICTED FELONS from running for president!!
FDR gave us the New Deal and built an expanded foundation for America’s greatness.. Trump is subjecting all of us to #TheRawDeal.
Contrast that with Dems, who always put #FamiliesFirst.
And Trump and Musk are #SquanderingAmericasGreatness.
The GOP has wholeheartedly participated in its own destruction as anything but a lapdog to the Trump dictatorship. They must go. Trump must go.
But whose votes will be counted? The GOP has gerrymandered and registration-purged and mail-restricted and precinct relocated and hours-limited and machine-breakdowns at select locations and restricted ID (no college students!) my sentence is gone but GOP has the fix in just fine.
Mmerose, we absolutely MUST safeguard the right to vote for everyone. We MUST demand a hand count at the next few elections to ensure there is no cheating and we MUST take these republicans to court over the cheating they are doing with the voting process!
Democracy Docket is trying, but I'm not sure hand count gets more counted. (maybe look at Shasta County, Ca.)
Yes Michael, everyone knows, but how?
I wish I knew the answer to that. I think we must adopt the kitchen sink approach and throw as much against the tyrant and his cohorts as possible. Gum up the works, cast sand in the gears. Slow things down. We need to boycott compliant corporations. We need to take to the streets. We need to use the media and not be used or ignored by it. We must pursue every possible action in the courts. I’m open to every possible approach — except that of violence. Let the fascists be the first to resort to blood.
100% agree with you, Michael! I will do every single thing I possibly can! We must follow the late and great John Lewis's advice. We must "get into good trouble"! The times call for it! We must protest and protest loudly! I'm quite surprised that others are choosing to remain so quiet and passive about this!
That is a great phrase: TheRawDeal
Especially as tRump is so het up about “raw” earth. 🤣 Chk in w Seth Meyers on that! Thx, Robert, for calling out the many ‘widdle scawrd’ Dems, I think the old phrase was “lily-livered milquetoasts!” Get it together, people, make some Noise! (But Smart, not just Loud!) And what does one suppose was a “moderate Nazi” in the late 1940’s?
Thanks! Here is my #TheRawDeal meme that I’m putting out there so people can copy it and put it on a sign for #March4.
https://bsky.app/profile/progtoddnorcal.bsky.social/post/3linxqipodk2a
I love that, Achieving Honorable Democracy!
That’s a movie with Arnold Schwarzenegger. It could work! lol
🇺🇸🎯
The Dems need to get back to looking out for the working class!
https://kathleenweber.substack.com/p/how-to-fight-trump-part-one
I think the phrase we should promote for that is #FamiliesFirst. Also, only Democrats will consider #22ndCenturyThinking. Not to be too apocalyptic about it, but monopoly capitalism as promoted by #RepubloFascists like Trump and Elon will light the fuse on our species.
You've said the most important point: the current path and complacency by privileged lawmakers is literally killing all hopes for humanity and other precious lives by allowing this madness. Adults must become adults and deal with this crisis caused by delinquents!
Right now the Democratic party is the minority in Congress. It is a Republican Congress in both the House and the Senate. Democrats are speaking out but who is listening?
I am writing a three part series on other strategies in addition to what Democrats can do in Congress.
It's time for all workers to stage demonstrations denouncing DOGE, an unconstitutional assault on American labor.
Kathleen, good article. The problem began with Reagan: "government is the problem". Ever since, the R's have played to this by trying to cut government, then giving out tax cuts.
Tax cuts, though most have gone to tbe wealthy, have benefited almost all in a much quicker fashion than changes to other government policy.
This is the fundamental problem D's face---no one wants to wait, and the longer this goes unsolved, the more dire the needs of the angry voters.
That creates a problem of communication: how do D's communicate that THEIR method of changing government for the better to HELP people works better than tax cuts??? If we don't figure out the answer to this SOON, there will be nothing left of good government.
BTW, college gap began at the SAME TIME as the rise in cost of college. I finished with Masters in 1984, by the time I considered doctorate (2000) costs were out of sight. You can't get a doctorate at a junior college, and while those alternatives are cheaper for undergrad, they aren't as good as a state or private university in terms of quality or offerings.
WHERE ARE THE EX-PRESIDENTS??? Why aren't THEY taking a leadership role, if nobody else will? Have they been anaesthetized or something?
Indeed, all those who warned us of the apocalypse if Trump were elected! Including on the Republican side...Their silence is so deafening that I'm worried about 2026 as well!
Lisa, “Apocalypse” is originally from the ancient Greeks, not the bible. The dictionary meaning is “To uncover that which was hidden often ending with a sense of revelation.”
“We are in the stage of apocalypse, the uncovering of the darkness that is no longer hidden. Capitalists and capitalism have reared their ugly heads only to soon be chopped off by their own actions. We must not miss this opportunity to be at the head of change. But remember, truth tellers tend to be reviled by those committed to closing their eyes. We must be strong, and righteousness will prevail.” (From Crisis and Transition Substack) https://crisistransition.substack.com/p/beyond-apocalypse
One revelation we are now uncovering is that we cannot look to the Democratic Party hacks to save us. To me, they are proving that our current form of governance and economics with supposed “checks and balances” can be too easily corrupted.
I firmly believe that the madness, greed and fear of speaking up will be ended by an inevitable Economic Depression. At that time, will be the opportunity to revise our government and economy onto one that serves WE THE PEOPLE.
I agree, Marc, with one point of emphasis. I do believe that no effective resistance will occur until we reach the lowest point. However, I don’t even want to imagine what that will look like. We have no idea what this mad king can stoop to.
Nor am i confident that we the people will be in control of the effort to restore our democracy. We seem to be handing off our destiny to our sworn enemies.
In the meantime, i devote myself to whatever RESISTANCE the moment calls for. It is becoming a matter of preserving my dignity as a human being and citizen.
Marc, you are promoting snake oil.
Obama is the only one that’s still coherent . He speaks but too many don’t listen . And we’re a racist country . God are we racist . Even the Christian’s look racist after supporting racist criminal mad man trump like they did.
His oratorical talent surpasses the racist prejudice...
Obama is a theatrical talent; he should have a daily platform to comment every stupidity of this incompetent cabal...
I agree Tom, but if he did that, he would make himself a target.
Susan, I think your right, but he can get or organise protection, for him and family.
Sometimes valor is needed. And the system organised more privately owned fire arms in the US then there are people.
They’re fiddling while America is burning down!
Indeed, tRUMP wants to replace education with indoctrination of young men to be Pimps, and rapists of sex slaves. See the way he interfered with Romania/ to get the Tate brothers out of having to face consequences for imprisoning and repeatedly pimping a girl as young as 15. He sees nothing wrong with seeing women and girls as "Hoes".
And we will never see the Epstein files. It's not just some social philosophy, how can there be doubt that Trump fully, enthusiastically participated in the uber-gang of pedophiles? Any common sense decrees that the Tates have stashed somehow some tasty footage of Trump.
Maybe George Bush; painting. His shameful silence re: Trump just piled on shame on his soul unto where his afterlife is going.
No. They just don't have any power. Trump cut Biden off from the traditional national security briefings, for heavens sakes! But even knowing security clearance stuff that maybe the rest of the Presidents know, it's only advisory to the current president, and you think Trump is interested?
They have the power to speak out. They were the leaders of a great nation, as such what they say has immense influence, you don’t need security clearances to speak from the heart. Also, as former leaders you think they really need formal clearances to pick up the phone and have their questions answered.
Hell, he in in cahoots with our enemies. He IS an enemy of all of US, except the worst billionaires and women haters, racists and Nazi leaning types. HE must go! He doesn't even care if we have accurate weather reports! Health care to prevent Ebola and similar diseases. He is Nuts,
We dont need more people to lament. We need positive forward motion from democrats to create a new world that isnt based on bullying and treason. Pull us out of this!!!
Sometimes when they comment or comment too much it takes away focus because now it's about personality instead of the problem.
Dr Reich. I've never agreed with you more! Nice fire. Bravo! I'm looking forward to at least some of the congressional Democrats take your advice. I'd love to see some colonial uniforms - and Civil War Union blue uniforms, as well. I like that shouting, "IT'S A TAX!" idea too. I'd just love to hear someone to scream "SHUT YOUR DAMN LYIN' MOUTH, TRAITOR!" May the Democrats show as much fire today as you have this morning.
What I'd really like better to see is for some number of Democrats to show up carrying a kosh and use them without mercy on the first MAGgots that try to start trouble - and don't worry about who strikes the first blow. Give 'em a "reality TV" version of WWE. But that's just wishful thinking.
Well said, DZK!
Those Dems who attend the speech should wear blue and yellow- Ukraine 🇺🇦 colors. And be Loud! Yes, make good trouble. T-rump will get flustered, go off script be him wacko, ridiculous self. 👏
I like the idea of the colors! a beautiful gesture. When have more Americans felt more helpless!
perfect!!!!
I think the idea of attending the speech and raising a ruckus (all broadcast to the world on TV) is much better than boycotting the speech.
It's time to stand up and say, "NO!" instead of rolling over and playing dead. In fact, rolling over and playing dead will turn into the real thing if they wait too long; dictators seldom leave potential opponents alive, even if they've been playing dead.
Moving production facilities into this country doesn't solve our problems. It helps solve the tariff issues, but the true essence of the move goes unrealized. The consumer wants prices to go down. Moving their factories into this country exposes the production side of the equation to the high hourly wages of the American workforce. Yes, there is a positive side to having goods and services produced in our own country, but the price points the consumer will be forced to contend with is beyond acceptable. Trump's position on tariffs is foolhardy and reckless, the man has no experience in economics and his lack of understanding surrounding how our people exist is alien at best. Vance is a self-professed Hillbilly who takes great pleasure in his ability to kiss Trump's ass. The Doobie Brothers are in way over their heads and neither knows how to swim. Trump addresses congress tonight, what will the Democrats do to show their displeasure with the asinine manner in which Donnie Boy is conducting business. During Trump's "talk," I would have the Democratic side of the aisle pay strict attention to the truth. Every time Trump stated a known lie, one member of the Democratic assembly should stand up and leave the proceedings. By the time Trump finished his speech there most likely wouldn't be anyone from our side of the aisle still left in the room.
What makes you think American wages will stay high once the coup is complete?
Yup! Keeping wages low is essential to The Plan. But there already is this underground student loan slave economy. I don't know the history of how student debt got exempted from statutes of limitation/bankruptcy?
Doobie brothers were great musicians in their day. Who are the Doobie brothers in your analogy ? Trump and Vance ?
Yeah, Donald Hodgkins, don't disparage the Doobies -- they were a righteous band. They came up with the line:
-- "What a fool believes, he sees. No wise man has the power to reason away." --
Which quite aptly describes our President Pretender, I would say.
Trump has just implemented the tariffs against Canada and Mexico. Canada's response has been very swift in announcing counter traiffs and other measures. Canada's Prime Minister Trudeau spoke directly to the American people pointing out how damaging this dumb tradewar (which Trump started) is to people on both sides of the border. Canadians have already started a boycott of buying all things made in the USA and are now also vowing not to visit the USA. How is that helping anybody? But it is one man - Trump - who started all this.
Very true. I think there is a very personal aspect to Donald Trump's dealing with his allies. He has made very clear that he does not like Zelensky and the sentiment applies to Canada's PM Justin Trudeau. This is on top of Trump's desire to have everybody tremble in their boots and kiss his ring (or some other part of his anatomy). Well, neither Zelensky nor Trudeau did that, as we have seen on Friday and Trudeau's speech on CNN this morning. I wish I could say the same about the GOP Congressmen, just look at Lindsey Graham's statement on Friday that he has "never been more proud of his president". Carlos Gimenez (R - Florida) was not much better today.
What Trump is doing is alienate all of USA's allies and he is dragging the USA down with him - as a single person. This will do nothing positive for anybody, including - well particularly -the USA.
Canada even put this into a song.
Have a listen: https://www.quintenews.com/2025/02/26/351509/
Call the White House tonight and protest the destruction of our country by the Thug-in-Chief.
There is no meeting ground between democracy and tyranny.
Democrats must first recognize that Trump, the Republican party, Republicans in Congress, and Musk with his DOGE are engaged in an ongoing insurrection with Putin to destroy democracy, the rule of law, and human rights that violates federal law (18 U.S. Code § 2383). The law defines a felony crime as “whoever assists or engages in any rebellion or insurrection against the authority of the United States or the laws thereof”. The insurrection aims to take America back to before 1776 with a KING (Putin as KING with Trump as a Baron leasing America as a fiefdom from the KING) and let Trump run the fiefdom with oligarchs as the old South which provided all the wealth to rich white men as property holders who exploited inhuman cruel slavery and treated all women as slaves.
Then Democrats must adopt a PLAN that begins with enacting and enforcing a new state law modeled after the federal law (18 U.S. Code § 2383) in 7 states where Democrats control the state government. California could be the first state to enact and enforce the law within 90 days which would remove the 9 Republican representatives from California in the Congressional House. The House would then have a Democratic majority of 2024 to 2009 with Jefferies as Speaker of the House to control the budget and make sure Ukraine and Medicaid are fully funded and there will be no tax cuts for the rich. Maryland, New Jersey and Colorado could follow to collectively remove another 8 Republican representatives in the House and then also remove 4 conservative justices from the Supreme Court changing the Court to 3 liberals and 2 conservatives to block any more conservative Court actions favorable to Trump, Republicans, and oligarchs.
The Constitution in Article I, Section 6, Clause 1 allows members of Congress to be arrested, indicted, and convicted for the felony crime of insurrection that violates state law enforced with imprisonment up to ten years with mandatory permanent removal and prevention from holding office.
The Constitution does not establish judicial immunity for any judge including federal judges or Supreme Court Justices. Therefore, Supreme Court Justices can be arrested, indicted, and convicted for the felony crime of insurrection and enforced with imprisonment up to ten years and mandatory permanent removal and prevention from holding office.
You're joking, right?
There is no negotiation possible between the effort to destroy democracy by Trump/Musk/Vance and the rest of us who just want to live our lives. Whether people want to admit it or not, our lives and the lives of our children and grandchildren depend on opposing this tyranny in every way we can. Now. Later will be too late.
I agree, NOW !
I’ll pass on having children . I’m not mean enough to force anyone into this mess. Wait til we see trumps damage . It could be worse than we imagine .
I understand that feeling. For me, the deed is done. But I deeply worry about what my children’s lives will be like.
Also, consider the world where people of good heart decline to have children and those who are best at hating copy themselves ad nauseam. Musk has at least eight children now. Imagine a world of Musks.
I worry not just about humanity. I see us accelerating into the Holocene or anthropocene extinction event. I shudder at the thought of a remnant humanity living on top of the ruins of what once was a beautiful blue planet.
Musk had 13, 12 now living from 4 different women
A wise man I used to attend meetings with now and then, who was a Gold history specialist, used to say, if your gold and silver undergo major appreciation, Be Careful What You Wish For. As in, general social conditions may be ugly. So look at the $GOLD index, interestingly, for the whole past year. I call it the Doom Index. It could be worse than we imagine.
Totally in sympathy, but "call the White House?"
Call the WH, call Congress, call everyone and anyone we can reach. We must try every possible approach to make ourselves heard.
Professor Reich: i think ameriKKKa is already in the clutches of a fascist dictator, although i'm not sure where that bright shining line was crossed (i think there were several lines that agent orange and fElonMust crossed on their way into fascism, and those lines were crossed with the finesse of a bull in a china shop.)
as far as the democrats go ... i have completely given up on them. they do not care about their constituents or their nation: this is plain to see for anyone with functioning eyes in their heads. the rest of the citizenry is going to either die early due to lack of healthcare, medicines and vaccines, executions due to non-compliance or lack of cooperation, or due to overwork in ameriKKKa's crypto mines of abject servitude. we are becoming "little russia", filled with dispirited, unimaginative people who are crushed beyond all hope or repair. the only person i see who might be our alexei navaly is pete buttigieg, but i've not heard a peep out of him for over a week. in a situation such as this, we need to hear from pete daily, just so we know he's thinking of us and fighting alongside us.
Where have you gone, Pete Buttigieg?
Our nation turns its lonely eyes to you
Woo, woo, woo
What's that you say, Pete Buttigieg?
Why are you singling him out? I say where are all the Democrats, are there any Republicans who care, who have a conscience, an iota of courage? Have they all turned their back on the ideals of the country they swore to serve? Has the entire Republican Party aligned themselves with Russia?
Time is running out.
“My simple advice to congressional Democrats: Wake the hell up!”
Thanks, Professor Reich, for spelling out much of what I’ve felt in recent weeks about the Democratic Party and the Democratic legislators who have too-conveniently disappeared at one of the most critical moments in American history, and in my lifetime.
More vocal opposition, better ideas for healing our deep fractures as a country, and a commitment to fight against tyranny are just a few things that Democrats have completely dropped the ball on. I don’t care about our two-party system anymore for this reason. Democrats can take a flying leap off a proverbial cliff; I would vote for the Munchkins if they came to the fight at hand with a visible spine and an articulate message.
" A man who has the knowledge but lacks the power clearly to express it is no better off than if he never had any ideas at all." Thucydides
For those of us with families in the US & in Europe, we suffer a double whammy. Never in my life did I imagine that the US would elect a Russian - dare I say - "agent" as President?? Follow historian of fascism Ruth Ben-Ghiat to understand how deeply subservient to Putin Trump is; even she is shocked. He is stopping all operations that watch/counter Russia, giving Europe to Putin, inviting oligarchs to the US, and purposefully staging humiliations of world leaders, who are bending over to him because they need US money. Instead of attending the Oscar parties, Nancy Pelosi should clear all her cronies out and let the next generation take over - and let's hear them before it's too late!!
One of the Democrats’ big problems is that they consistently let themselves be out-manured. They need to fight back, and not politely. We are long past the stage of politics being a polite discussion. Sadly the Democrats don’t seem to have gotten the memo.
"Out-manured?" I like it!
The Democratic Party Leaders losing strategy is that they are playing a defense in an offensive game. The Trumplican's WWE K-Fabe spectacles are winning the game and delighting the "ring rats"who represent the MAGA minority.
Meanwhile, the Pro-Democracy majority, those of us living in reality, are left out of the spotlight.
Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren or Chris Murphy are masters of deploying the raw "smackdowns" that get people's attention. They need to get into the ring.
Abraham Lincoln said,
"I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the REAL FACTS".
" Men who are capable of real action first make their plans and then go forward without hesitation while their enemies have still not made up their minds." Thucydides And I would add in there women as well. Heck yes I would!
If all of us here take Dr. Reich’s advice and make the suggested phone calls to our Democratic electeds, maybe our voices will be heard. Let’s flood the zone and as succinctly stated in the post… WAKE THEM THE HELL UP!
Great ideas. But also keep the outrage directed at the Republicans. I am convinced the spate of articles and columns today attacking Dems is yet more Putin disinformation. Please keep all your efforts on illuminating what the Republicans have destroyed and are about to do. All the headlines tomorrow should be about the evil of this government and the Republican party.
Here is my inspiration for the week, from the 25 year od Sugarbush snow reporter in Vermont:
. I hope that, instead of faulting Sugarbush management or employees for “allowing this to happen”, you can direct your anger to the source — the Administration that, in my oh-so-humble opinion, is threatening our democracy, our livelihoods, our land.