I appreciated the litany of all abuses, misdeeds, etc. However, I am disappointed that there wasn’t more clear guidance on what we who hold the same conclusions can do to pressure non-MAGA Republicans at this critical moment. What are the levers of power/influence or proven strategies an average moderate Democrat such as myself can use? I certainly vote, I volunteer in a range of causes including GOTV, No Kings, etc. I donate to candidates and causes. Informing people in advance of the mid-terms, as suggested in the comments, seems limited especially because of the bubbles we all seem to live in. I would sincerely like the author or other contributors to share prescriptions of “action” not merely descriptions of the “authoritarian tide.”
Trust me, there are well over 150 million who share your disgust and desire for a viable way to fight back after the midterms are either cancelled or so seriously compromised that they become neutered. And therein lies the problem. Short of a successful armed rebellion, the only solutions are to learn to live with what you abhor or leave the country.
Walt, there *is* another solution. The U.S. military as a whole is not in support of the DJT regime (as "The Steady State" indeed shows). It needs very strong support to act when the time arrives (which is well before any "armed rebellion" - indeed a disaster if even possible). The military, and local "armed forces" (police under the control of mayors) can act to ensure that compromising the midterms does not succeed. But they need to know that they not only have to do it, but that we will support them.
It comes down to a very simple (yet difficult) realization and decision. Real totalitarian rule can be avoided if the upcoming elections are fair. Despite all the "misinformation" (lies) in the media, a Democratic landslide (by traditional measures) is very likely. The Republicans know this, and that only armed intervention (ICE agents at the polls, other physical intimidation measures - Proud Boys times ten, etc., and possibly calling out the National Guard) will save them.
These measures are as likely as rain on a winter day on the Olympic Peninsula. And only other armed people can stop them. That means the commanders of the NG (governors) the U.S. military, and to a lesser but important extent local mayors and police. The citizen-centric response is to lobby those people with this message. We traditionally say "no military intervention" for good reason. But this reason supercedes that one.
An excellent summary. I especially appreciated the historical references supporting the belief held by many that Dump has loyally served as a Russian useful idiot for 40 years.
I posted this last week and will herein repeat it:
I think it is high time we start calling the Dump/MAGA crowd what they are: Fascists. That way, we free up true Republicans who are not in that crowd to represent the party as an alternative for those who don’t want to identify with Dump or the non-Republican crowd.
They are fascists and Trump and his team are traitors! I agree with Jackie. There are many people in this Substack called the Steady State who worked in government. I think they should be on every venue speaking out including TV, MSNow, social media (like videos on YouTube, go to the capital and talk to the oversight committee in Congress. Speak at local levels and submit articles to local newspapers and other tv, radio. Call the Governors, at least the blue states and ask for meetings. Meet with Indivisible. Maybe you could help each other to strengthen resistance tactics. Are you doing any of this? Many people are doing things, but more people need to wake up.
Read my response to Jackie’s comment. I have no problem with people engaging in feels good gatherings or preaching to the deaf, but that won’t cut it. I know. I served my country in four countries run by autocrats who had military backing. You either accept and conform and make the best of a lousy situation, leave the country, or risk death.
Concise and exact summary of the destruction we must counter. Tools are limited but we should try to inform as many people as possible before the midterms.
Trump is indeed a 'polezny durak' (useful idiot) and has been since the late '80s. During my Foreign Service career, I worked in some authoritarian-led countries. Short of armed rebellion, we have to keep spreading the truth about what is and has been going on. Either that or give up and accept the dystopian future Project 2025 will provide us, or emigrate elsewhere. I choose to stay and fight.
Great summary of the problem. It is clear however that the Republican Party is currently a wholly owned subsidiary of Trump Inc. Anything other than complete fealty is unacceptable. Even someone like John Cornyn, who surely knew better than to confirm the current rogues gallery who constitute the most incompetent and corrupt cabinet in our history, just got knifed. The only hope is that non-MAGA republicans either stay home this November, or do the unthinkable for many: vote for a democratic candidate rather than a MAGA loyalist.
I appreciated the litany of all abuses, misdeeds, etc. However, I am disappointed that there wasn’t more clear guidance on what we who hold the same conclusions can do to pressure non-MAGA Republicans at this critical moment. What are the levers of power/influence or proven strategies an average moderate Democrat such as myself can use? I certainly vote, I volunteer in a range of causes including GOTV, No Kings, etc. I donate to candidates and causes. Informing people in advance of the mid-terms, as suggested in the comments, seems limited especially because of the bubbles we all seem to live in. I would sincerely like the author or other contributors to share prescriptions of “action” not merely descriptions of the “authoritarian tide.”
Trust me, there are well over 150 million who share your disgust and desire for a viable way to fight back after the midterms are either cancelled or so seriously compromised that they become neutered. And therein lies the problem. Short of a successful armed rebellion, the only solutions are to learn to live with what you abhor or leave the country.
Walt, there *is* another solution. The U.S. military as a whole is not in support of the DJT regime (as "The Steady State" indeed shows). It needs very strong support to act when the time arrives (which is well before any "armed rebellion" - indeed a disaster if even possible). The military, and local "armed forces" (police under the control of mayors) can act to ensure that compromising the midterms does not succeed. But they need to know that they not only have to do it, but that we will support them.
https://jaynasheats.substack.com/p/resistance-is-not-futile
It comes down to a very simple (yet difficult) realization and decision. Real totalitarian rule can be avoided if the upcoming elections are fair. Despite all the "misinformation" (lies) in the media, a Democratic landslide (by traditional measures) is very likely. The Republicans know this, and that only armed intervention (ICE agents at the polls, other physical intimidation measures - Proud Boys times ten, etc., and possibly calling out the National Guard) will save them.
These measures are as likely as rain on a winter day on the Olympic Peninsula. And only other armed people can stop them. That means the commanders of the NG (governors) the U.S. military, and to a lesser but important extent local mayors and police. The citizen-centric response is to lobby those people with this message. We traditionally say "no military intervention" for good reason. But this reason supercedes that one.
https://jaynasheats.substack.com/p/resistance-is-not-futile
An excellent summary. I especially appreciated the historical references supporting the belief held by many that Dump has loyally served as a Russian useful idiot for 40 years.
I posted this last week and will herein repeat it:
I think it is high time we start calling the Dump/MAGA crowd what they are: Fascists. That way, we free up true Republicans who are not in that crowd to represent the party as an alternative for those who don’t want to identify with Dump or the non-Republican crowd.
They are fascists and Trump and his team are traitors! I agree with Jackie. There are many people in this Substack called the Steady State who worked in government. I think they should be on every venue speaking out including TV, MSNow, social media (like videos on YouTube, go to the capital and talk to the oversight committee in Congress. Speak at local levels and submit articles to local newspapers and other tv, radio. Call the Governors, at least the blue states and ask for meetings. Meet with Indivisible. Maybe you could help each other to strengthen resistance tactics. Are you doing any of this? Many people are doing things, but more people need to wake up.
Read my response to Jackie’s comment. I have no problem with people engaging in feels good gatherings or preaching to the deaf, but that won’t cut it. I know. I served my country in four countries run by autocrats who had military backing. You either accept and conform and make the best of a lousy situation, leave the country, or risk death.
Concise and exact summary of the destruction we must counter. Tools are limited but we should try to inform as many people as possible before the midterms.
Trump is indeed a 'polezny durak' (useful idiot) and has been since the late '80s. During my Foreign Service career, I worked in some authoritarian-led countries. Short of armed rebellion, we have to keep spreading the truth about what is and has been going on. Either that or give up and accept the dystopian future Project 2025 will provide us, or emigrate elsewhere. I choose to stay and fight.
Well you are correct. But we now have an extensive track record of outlandish cruel corrupt and incompetent behavior and no one stands up.
Great summary of the problem. It is clear however that the Republican Party is currently a wholly owned subsidiary of Trump Inc. Anything other than complete fealty is unacceptable. Even someone like John Cornyn, who surely knew better than to confirm the current rogues gallery who constitute the most incompetent and corrupt cabinet in our history, just got knifed. The only hope is that non-MAGA republicans either stay home this November, or do the unthinkable for many: vote for a democratic candidate rather than a MAGA loyalist.
Shared with the same Trump voter as before.