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Without National Leadership We're Going Nowhere [1]

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Date: 2025-03-02

Sen. Chris Murphy

There are two groups that could possibly stop the dumpster fire that’s threatening to envelop our country and burn much of it to the ground. That might be able to head off the current and upcoming constitutional crises, the destruction of our position and influence on the world stage, and the blatant disregard for the rule of law and democracy we’re seeing from the current administration.

One of these groups is the Republicans in Congress, who, combined with the Democrats, could bring our historically corrupt and treasonous president -- twice-impeached, four-time indicted, sexual assaulter, tax fraudster, insurrection inspirer, wannabe fascist dictator, convicted felon, Russian puppet Donald Trump – to heel.

How? They exert their constitutional power through legislation, and if Trump still continues in his lawless behavior that’s a direct threat to our country’s well-being and national security, they impeach him. And if his lap dog Vice President JD Vance wants to play the same game, they impeach him, too.

But that’s not going to happen. The GOP is nothing more than a corrupt, criminal enterprise that bows in servitude to Trump. No constitutional violation is too big, no cabinet nominee is too unfit, no tax cut for the rich at the expense of the poor is too large, no amount of kowtowing to Russian President Vladimir Putin is too galling.

That leaves it up to the second group – us. The millions of Americans who’re sick of what we’re seeing from Washington. Sick of Trump and Vance and Elon Musk. Sick of the lies and corruption. Sick of the cruelty and its victims. Sick of the thought of abandoning our allies in favor of our enemy.

We have the numbers. There’s no doubt about that. But do we have the leaders, because without them we’re pretty much screwed.

Somewhere from our national sea of soundbites and memes leadership must emerge, and until it does nothing will change. We’ll do little things that make us feel good and accomplish next to nothing. And as things get worse and worse it’ll become harder and harder to effect change.

This is really important to understand: As Trump and his allies solidify their hold on our justice system, our regulatory system, our voting system, and our military, we’ll be left with self-satisfying thoughts of worthless effort while the whole damn world around us blows up – either literally, figuratively, or both.

Someone has to step up, and someone has to step up, quick.

I’ll admit I don’t have many answers. I don’t have the knowledge or the background to devise a plan in which the actions of millions of Americas – through things like civil disobedience and non-violent, disruptive protests – can disrupt the current administration’s plans and put enough pressure on even the Republicans to either clean up this mess or continue to feel our wrath.

But there are people who do know these things. Who can figure out plans and – just as importantly – the logistics behind those plans. We know they’re out there, we just don’t know who they are.

Some might say how about Democratic politicians? Okay, who? Right now, Democrats have no real structural power in Washington, that’s why all this pontificating and outrage you’re hearing from some of them needs to be said but in effect will change nothing.

Could any of them take the next step and actually lead a national rebellion? I don’t know. Some may say media darlings Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jasmine Crockett. I’d say no. While both are great, and if either were my daughter I couldn’t be prouder of them, they’re not what we need for this job.

Call me misogynistic if that makes you feel good, but note that I’ll add that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also aren’t the answer. David Hogg. You’re kidding, right?

What about Rep. Jamie Raskin or Sen. Chris Murphy, who’ve been two of the stronger voices in Congress? Maybe, but they’re going to have to be willing and able to do a lot more than they’ve done so far.

How about someone outside of politics, or some political organization, or a former politician? Maybe. I don’t know. Trying to pick leaders often doesn’t work. Letting leaders emerge organically might. Who will emerge, if anyone?

There’re been different events so far to protest what’s going on in our country. On Friday they had a national economic blackout where we were asked to not buy anything or spend any money, unless it was an emergency and if then to favor small businesses. I guess that one day could show the possibilities, but alone it won’t make a dent. And where do you get the data to measure it? I don’t even know who was calling for it.

To get the type of numbers we’ll need we’ll have to have strong national leadership, something legitimate that when they say we’re going to be in Washington or someplace on June 1 you know the event will take place and that it’ll be well-organized.

You can’t harness the force we’ll need with disjointed efforts scattered across the country. Even something like will there be enough toilets for the participants is a major question.

There’re probably all kinds of things we can do, from bringing the country to its knees to simply making the lives of Republican elected officials a living hell. But nothing will happen without strong, effective leaders to lead us.

History is waiting, and so are we.

***

Thank you for reading my post. You can see my other writings on my blog: Musings of a Nobody. Please share and subscribe for free via email on its home page.

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