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Dem Response to End of Democracy Leaves Me Underwhelmed [1]

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Date: 2025-03-08

From a message to a friend about the Sanders “townhall” in Kenosha, WI we went to last night. I want to note, I do support Sen Sanders’ policies and I believe he truly wants to help this country. But:

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TBH, if I had a criticism of last night (and why we actually left a few minutes before the speech was over) it was two completely different things.

First, it was billed as a townhall. We are currently ripping the GOP for not doing townhalls and not facing voters. Then we do this event and there was no back and forth or commenting or questioning from the crowd. To me, that’s what makes a townhall.

Second, I was already fired up and so were a lot of others there. We didn’t need a rally. I was hoping this would be an event where people would be organizing and we might talk about direct physical actions to be taken such as protests. Four thousand potential agents of change and all I found to guide them was a couple random people leafleting.

I’ve called Jeffries, Schumer and (Rep Gwen) Moore’s office with the same complaint. I am sick and tired of worrying what people think about us. I am sick and tired of being asked for votes and money every two minutes.

What the Dem leadership fails miserably to realize is that traditional electoral politics is dead. They need to realize NOW that there will never be another free and fair national election again. At least not in the old model and at least not as long as MAGA is in power.

It’s like those scenes in a war movie (I think a good example is in Saving Private Ryan but Stephen Ambrose wrote about the same phenomenon in Band of Brothers) when the new guy wonders how the other soldiers deal with the constant threat of death and they tell him that everything is easier once you accept you are already dead.

The old ways are already dead. For the first time since 1865, it is really a fight between two sides who cannot and will not come together. I don’t necessarily give a rip what anyone thinks of our methods. What MAGA knows and is executing at rapid speed is that it isn’t necessarily about popular support. It is about action. Rapid, decisive action. And, if you are worried about votes or money or image or other things that are peripheral to that action, you get steamrolled.

So, what should our moderate and progressive electeds do?

First, don’t ask me to pat you on the back for voting against a bill or introducing legislation that is doomed to fail. That is your job and it is the bare minimum at that.

Second, don’t do tone deaf events where you speak at us or you ramble about the price of eggs. We are already riled up and want to do something now. IDC what you’ll do with power if you ever have it again. Get it first. Then prove to me you are willing to wield it to its greatest legal extent and effect as swiftly as possible.

Third, don’t tell me how tight times are and then ask me for money. Marches don’t have to cost big bucks. Peaceful civil disobedience is free.

Finally, and most importantly, put your body on the line for the cause and encourage others to do so. If it is the potential end of democracy (and I don’t believe it is—I know it is), a day long boycott won’t do. Get in a doorway to block “big balls” from a government department. Get arrested with protesters outside a Trump event. Join a group outside a church, community center or even a private house protesting against ICE raids. March on Washington in massive numbers.

Yes, there is danger of physical harm to yourselves and others who participate in any of these actions. The regime cares not about rights or human lives. And the actions will inherently alienate some in the middle—so what? The actions being taken by this government are LITERALLY (I don’t use that word lightly) going to kill people and possibly lead to us sending our sons and daughters to invade one or more sovereign countries.

The world is watching. They will support a shadow government standing up to Trump and calling out his administration daily. Don’t believe me, Hakeem Jeffries? Go online right now. Al Green, AOC, Macron and Trudeau are more loved by your base than your leadership is.

Don’t be Russia in 1999. Don’t misunderstand Dr King’s comment about the moral arc of the universe. It only bends toward justice if we scratch, claw and give every ounce of our energy (and if necessary our sacred honor, lives and fortunes just like the Founders) to pull it there and hold it there.

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2025/3/8/2308823/-Dem-Response-to-End-of-Democracy-Leaves-Me-Underwhelmed?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=more_community&pm_medium=web

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