"Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York wants to protect his vulnerable members who are up for reelection in 2026. My response to that has been that if you do not go to the mat to highlight the Trump/Musk depredations, there might not be elections in 2026."
Yes, but I would say in this case we need to take a page out of the opposition's playbook: any Senator who is unwilling to recognize the Constitutional crisis unfolding and use every power available to impede the GOP should be primaried. Assuming there is an election we need to be prepared to raise the funds to back better candidates at the primary level, then support them again at the general election level. Chuck Schumer et al need to learn to fear the people.
I am sorely disappointed in Schumer, who is wasting his years of experience by not looking ahead to a future in which none of that matters. The rules have changed; the game has changed. And I'm sorry, a Jewish man whose hair is not on fire right now as we sit on the precipice of a nihilistic autocracy should not even be representing us. Every single group that Musk and Trump hate will be targeted for some form of elimination, whether that's from functional society, financial solvency, or literal death. I believe it. Why doesn't he?
Chuck Schumer's response is just so typical of the disconnect Democrats have shown---they are outright refusing to face reality. The more I think of how they have dropped the ball, time and time again, the more I lean on the voices they have silenced, like AOC, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders. They've been right all along about where the country is and what we desperately need to say and do, and they've been silenced.
Bernie, Elizabeth, AOC silenced????!!!! Not where I’m living. I hear from them, see them, applaud their voices more frequently than I see anyone else (except Trump and Musk). Schumer is a putz. He is ineffective, boring, basically a loser. He simply does not understand the reality of where we are, and that is a losing proposition for Democrats and for democracy itself.
You're right about Bernie, Elizabeth and AOC speaking out. But I don't see the Democratic "machine" getting behind them. I don't see them speaking for the party. I don't see the party adopting their rhetoric or fighting stance.
He’s advocating the same behavior which has usurped the Republican brain in House and Senate. It’s all about the money, right Chuck? We are witnessing a coup. Period. You’re not going to have any more voting if this continues, so don’t worry about saving your precious positions, because they won’t matter anymore.
And, if say, McConnell dies? Chuck Schumer will get up and say- "we, the Dems and Republicans come together in times like this..." blah, blah, blah... You know what happened the last 2 x's he did that? Steve Scalise (racist from LA) and McConnell (KY) LMAO at Shumer and voted time and again for issues that denied their own state constituencies and f'd the rest of us all. Thank you Chuck Schumer for your service! I've watched state funerals -Carter, Lewis and others...I for one, will not watch Shumer's funeral.
1 Comment! Here Norm is telling us that the people we have elected in 2024 are now in the process of turning our democracy into an autocracy and we have 1 comment!?
Well, let me make it 2 comments by stating that if Democrats want a 2026 election (or any more after that) that they had better get together with the Dept. of Justice (assuming it is still there) and gang up on these criminals (in any way they can come up with) to get them out of power and into the slammer, and they better do it quick.
At the rate those Fascists are going, we will be losing our democracy shortly. And, IMHO, what the Democrats and the "Justice" department have done so far is truly pathetic.
The DOJ is gone with the appointment of Pam Bondi. Proof? Today DOJ told prosecutors to drop the charges against the NYC Mayor Eric Adams. Why? Because Trump has been led to believe that Adam's will aid and abet immigrant deportations in New York.
Any Democratic senator who does not go all out and do what is necessary to defend our Constitution, needs to be primaried and/or lose his/her seat. Especially if they are too lazy to work evenings and weekends.
What do they think they were elected for? Five hour days, 10 days a month, 8 months per year with the very best healthcare in the world, footed by us, the taxpayers?
As I have been saying for a long time (even when he was still majority leader), Chuck Schumer needs to be replaced pronto.
Many years ago a friend of mine was fond of saying "Republicans are evil, Democrats are stupid", not stupid as in unintelligent but stupid in how they conducted politics. I always agreed with the first part of his dictum but disputed the second part. Now I see he was right all along. The Democrats simply are not cut out to take on the evil we are now confronting. They are politically stuck in a past, gentler time that no longer exists. I don't pretend to have the answers but what the Democrats so far are offering is clearly not it.
Well, let me say that they better get their arses in gear soon! They (and the Justice Dept. are the only hope we have. The media (present company excepted) are doing nothing!
We no longer have the Justice Department. We have Pam Bondi as AG. We do have some federal judges who are making good rulings. Praise be for that. What the SCOTUS will do when cases arrive on their doorstep is another matter. We are out of power. Period. But that, of course, means we have to stand up and fight harder.
Trump. Musk are saving the overthrow of the rule of law for last ! He will do what
Andrew Jackson did (...You made a decision I don't like ...so enforce it !)
Executive Orders will become laws and fiat will decide the day!
The military will stay in it's barracks...and our, mostly revanchist police forces around the country will gleefully smash any public resistance...and there won't be much anyway !
Let's face it ...most of the world's populace through most of it's history has lived under despotism.....we were an anomaly .....a tiny ray of sunlight fading on the grass....and then it was over...we committed suicide !
The Justice Department !?!....You mean the one with AG Bondi in charge ?.....I don't think so !!!
This coup will shift to revolutionary ( or counter-revolutionary actually....FDR and the New Deal being the revolution !)...just as soon as Musk/ Trump have got their people in control of all agencies, bureaus and departments and Musk has extracted all information from them.
I also will not send any money to the DNC. IMHO our resources have to go to those like the ACLU who are fighting the legal fight, and grassroots organizations opposing this building autocracy.
Yes, I've been supporting the ACLU as well, since the first Trump regime. Fighting in the courts is good but time-consuming and risky because of all the Republican-appointed judges out there who don't support the Constitution, oddly enough.
Yes, they have been great in doing that. I have been ruthlessly unsubscribing from all emails and replying "Stop" to all texts for the past six months. I will not donate to any more politicians until they all develop some backbones, as long as I am unhappy with them.
Donate to Susan Crawford the D candidate in the Wisconsin Supreme Court election coming up on 4/1/2025. This doesn’t just matter for Wisconsin where their Supreme Court will either have a liberal, or a far right, majority after this election. Wisconsin is the tipping point state in presidential elections, and if Crawford prevails one of the benefits will be a high likelihood that R gerrymandered districts will be undone with the result that Dems will likely gain 2 House seats in 2026 which they will take by flipping 2 R seats. That’s a four point vote gain!!!! WISCONSIN matters. ELECTION IS JUST 6 weeks out!!!
I'm a member of Democracy Docket and The Contrarian. At least both are trying to inform the public and save democracy. I'm also on Blue Sky for the same reason.
I do not understand the reluctance of Dem pundits to call for the Congressional Dems to engage in “good trouble” ala John Lewis. It is time for civil disobedience.
I bet the Democrats are talking about forming a committee to investigate a feasibility study to determine if a strong letter of condemnation should be drafted.
Sorry, but I think it is wishful thinking that this can be turned around by any other than physical means since the rule of law is now meaningless. Irreparable damage has already been done. It would take a military intervention to clear out this mess, and that would only be if the entire military were not corrupted and took seriously their oath to protect the constitution. It seems that the cowardice of politicians, even prior presidents, could be explained due to physical threats to them and their families, up to and including possible imprisonment in prisons being set up in foreign countries (I hope I am wrong, but I think, in passing, I saw something about a deal with El Salvador to take prisoners that were US Citizens - gulag for political prisoners?). Seems to me we now have a totalitarian government.
What? Do we believe Guantanamo is being built out just for illegal migrants? I know that's the reason given now. However, it’s important to note that the stated reason given by the Nazis was a facade. In reality, the original camps were designed to crush political opposition, incarcerate perceived enemies of the regime, and exploit forced labor. So, I am expecting a change fairly soon, as in 1933 when German opposition politicians were taken into "protective custody" or "Schutzhaft" without lawful arrest or trial for "re-education etc. The Nazi Propaganda machine portrayed the camps as necessary measures to protect Germany from internal enemies and maintain public order.
So who is going to stop MUMP from re-purposing Guantanamo? Schumer? You? Me? Trump's "Leibstandarte" Proud Boys?
I have come to the same distasteful conclusions you have, Alexandra
Pass the word: There will be an economic boycott on February 28th—do not make any purchases except for essential items (e.g. medicine). Many, of course, won’t get this message, but if enough people do it, it will demonstrate that we have power over the economy. The next boycott may be longer. It’s a small thing to do, but it’s a step that’s easy to do.
May I suggest that an extended economic boycott will be very effective in stopping the wealthy from pillaging the country. But for it to be effective, it must be sustained by the majority until conditions are met. What should be those conditions?
I also believe if the majority of taxpayers refused to pay their taxes until conditions are met that would be extremely effective.
The first problem is agreeing on the conditions that must be met. The second problem is convincing enough people to stay the course until the conditions are met.
This is the most peaceful and effective method of driving the robber barons out of power. But the reality is, it is next to impossible for the 99% to unite against the 1%, particularly when they hold all the cards. The wealthy understand the power of divide and conquer, and have the money and wherewithal to execute this strategy.
No Amazon, no Walmart, no Target, no BestBuy, no other major retailers. No fast food, no gas, no nothing. Don't buy anything on line. If you need emergency supplies or medicine, buy them from small, local retailers. Don't use credit or debit cards.
Norm Ornstein is spot-on. Desperate times call for desperate measures. The Democrats in Congress must use every tool at their disposal to oppose Musk-Trump's march toward autocracy. We have to act now, not wait for the mid-terms to save us, just as Norm notes.
We can't rely on the courts to save us, and in fact there's every indication that Musk-Trump would ignore a SCOTUS ruling against their coup and continue full speed ahead to dictatorship.
Joe Biden didn't invite him to a meeting on EV's and this is his vengeance. Also, perhaps he assessed Trump and the complicit GOP as ripe for being commandeered by another madman.
Schumer does not seem to be able to really fire up the democrats and the voters. He is a wheeler-dealer, and has in the past used that tool to get things done. The problem is that we are in the process of losing our democracy, especially since all of the court orders so far have been ignored. How is the judicial system going to address this? Can't they issue an arrest warrant for Musk and crew, since they are in fact breaking the law? Trump should not be able to appeal any ruling without complying with the mandated orders first. This is getting to be pretty untenable to say the least.
Courts don't issue arrest warrants. They could find them in contempt, but with Trump holding the pardon power, no one's going to pay. Technically Trump is at the head of all this illegal, destructive activity, but he has been pronounced immune and the DOJ standard is not to prosecute a sitting president anyway. Trump has now pardoned the former Democratic governor of IL for his crimes & is stopping the prosecution of Eric Adams in NY. Steve Bannon, who Trump pardoned for federal fraud charges, just got a plea deal for related NY charges, with no jail time. We are now lawless. This is not a viable country. We need to be focusing on a new direction for those who oppose the Trump regime. I believe our best hopes lie with Democratic governors, if they would coalesce, organize and lead. FAST!
Chuck Schumer has been the worst Democratic Leader in the Senate in my lifetime. Democrats put on a show with their "floor filibuster" of the OMB Director. If Democrats had any guts whatsoever they'd have stayed on the floor until the GOP Senators backed off. Unfortunately for the American people, there is Schumer as the leader and the likes of my Senator Adam Senator who attended the inauguration (out of respect for the Presidency) and does nothing but go on talk shows. Then there is Senator Susan Collins who is always concerned and knows Trump has learned his lesson.
The worst Congressional member is Speaker Johnson who not only supported the attempted coup, using fake electors, in 2021; but now gives up the power of the purse to Trump. The GOP has never liked the Dept of Education, never liked the EPA, never liked government waste in spending, but refuses to vote on closing the Dept of Education or the EPA because their constituents would go crazy. The GOP promotes government waste in the DoD because the government contractors are in their districts and make contributions to their elections.
Perhaps this is just laying the groundwork for Putin to waltz in and sieze control after Trump and the coup crew take all the money and run. Destroy the nation's government, economy and credit, bankrupt us and leave us all dazed and ripe for the picking. All our natural resources falling into the hands of Russia. Trump spends the rest of his days lounging in Gaza-lago and Musk gets his fun money to escape to Mars. And, sadly, I think we're soft as a country so it would be too easy. A lot of bravado and tough talk and kick-ass movies but the average American at any socio-economic level doesn't know how to fight, suffer or sacrifice for a cause anymore. I bet a huge segment of the population isn't even aware of what's happening in DC.
No doubt. And once flouting of the Constitution and rule of law have proven successful, there's no reason Elon couldn't usurp the throne from Trump. It's a new world.
Quit worrying about fighting each battle. Mobilize and fight the war - stop the concentration of power in the presidency. We do have an army, it's our citizenry. Start putting out the call for rallies, demonstrations (#50501), and boycotts. Let the new federal government executives feel trauma every morning when they go to work. Who is/are our national leader(s) - put out a call for them! If you don't ask, not one will step forward. Let the attorneys fight in the courts, let the legislators fight in Congress, let the people mobilize.
I am listening for a coordinated call for millions to march on a single day all over the country-millions! A reporter interviewing a former Dem Congressman today said, "But people don't seem concerned." Unless I'm in a bubble, we are.
Thinking of other things that the average Citizen could do besides marches and sit ins. Certainly boycotts. Need to be creative boycotts. How about if you need to pay income tax that you submit an extension? Drain the banks of your cash. Send your old spoons to the White House ( a symbolic statement that we are not accepting a “fork in the road” . There are more things if we want to stir up good trouble. At this point, civil disobedience is about the only thing we can do.
I would add: NO extension to tax cuts! Not for 1 year or 1 minute. Even if they include some crumbs for the public. The pain must be shared (even though the wealthy won't really be in much pain).
Agree with all of that. On the subject of future elections, Trump’s mention of a 3rd term is not tongue in cheek. I maintain he will die in office, whenever that is. If he’s still alive in 2028, he’s not leaving office, no matter what.
"Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York wants to protect his vulnerable members who are up for reelection in 2026. My response to that has been that if you do not go to the mat to highlight the Trump/Musk depredations, there might not be elections in 2026."
Yes, but I would say in this case we need to take a page out of the opposition's playbook: any Senator who is unwilling to recognize the Constitutional crisis unfolding and use every power available to impede the GOP should be primaried. Assuming there is an election we need to be prepared to raise the funds to back better candidates at the primary level, then support them again at the general election level. Chuck Schumer et al need to learn to fear the people.
I am sorely disappointed in Schumer, who is wasting his years of experience by not looking ahead to a future in which none of that matters. The rules have changed; the game has changed. And I'm sorry, a Jewish man whose hair is not on fire right now as we sit on the precipice of a nihilistic autocracy should not even be representing us. Every single group that Musk and Trump hate will be targeted for some form of elimination, whether that's from functional society, financial solvency, or literal death. I believe it. Why doesn't he?
Chuck Schumer's response is just so typical of the disconnect Democrats have shown---they are outright refusing to face reality. The more I think of how they have dropped the ball, time and time again, the more I lean on the voices they have silenced, like AOC, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders. They've been right all along about where the country is and what we desperately need to say and do, and they've been silenced.
Bernie, Elizabeth, AOC silenced????!!!! Not where I’m living. I hear from them, see them, applaud their voices more frequently than I see anyone else (except Trump and Musk). Schumer is a putz. He is ineffective, boring, basically a loser. He simply does not understand the reality of where we are, and that is a losing proposition for Democrats and for democracy itself.
You're right about Bernie, Elizabeth and AOC speaking out. But I don't see the Democratic "machine" getting behind them. I don't see them speaking for the party. I don't see the party adopting their rhetoric or fighting stance.
He’s advocating the same behavior which has usurped the Republican brain in House and Senate. It’s all about the money, right Chuck? We are witnessing a coup. Period. You’re not going to have any more voting if this continues, so don’t worry about saving your precious positions, because they won’t matter anymore.
And, if say, McConnell dies? Chuck Schumer will get up and say- "we, the Dems and Republicans come together in times like this..." blah, blah, blah... You know what happened the last 2 x's he did that? Steve Scalise (racist from LA) and McConnell (KY) LMAO at Shumer and voted time and again for issues that denied their own state constituencies and f'd the rest of us all. Thank you Chuck Schumer for your service! I've watched state funerals -Carter, Lewis and others...I for one, will not watch Shumer's funeral.
1 Comment! Here Norm is telling us that the people we have elected in 2024 are now in the process of turning our democracy into an autocracy and we have 1 comment!?
Well, let me make it 2 comments by stating that if Democrats want a 2026 election (or any more after that) that they had better get together with the Dept. of Justice (assuming it is still there) and gang up on these criminals (in any way they can come up with) to get them out of power and into the slammer, and they better do it quick.
At the rate those Fascists are going, we will be losing our democracy shortly. And, IMHO, what the Democrats and the "Justice" department have done so far is truly pathetic.
The DOJ is gone with the appointment of Pam Bondi. Proof? Today DOJ told prosecutors to drop the charges against the NYC Mayor Eric Adams. Why? Because Trump has been led to believe that Adam's will aid and abet immigrant deportations in New York.
> get together with the Dept of Justice
Hello ?? Do you pay attention ??? It is the Trump DoJ. Utterly political, utterly corrupt.
I see 53 comments.
It's now 92. Take heart!
Any Democratic senator who does not go all out and do what is necessary to defend our Constitution, needs to be primaried and/or lose his/her seat. Especially if they are too lazy to work evenings and weekends.
What do they think they were elected for? Five hour days, 10 days a month, 8 months per year with the very best healthcare in the world, footed by us, the taxpayers?
As I have been saying for a long time (even when he was still majority leader), Chuck Schumer needs to be replaced pronto.
Many years ago a friend of mine was fond of saying "Republicans are evil, Democrats are stupid", not stupid as in unintelligent but stupid in how they conducted politics. I always agreed with the first part of his dictum but disputed the second part. Now I see he was right all along. The Democrats simply are not cut out to take on the evil we are now confronting. They are politically stuck in a past, gentler time that no longer exists. I don't pretend to have the answers but what the Democrats so far are offering is clearly not it.
My dogs, who live in the moment, could do a better job than our Dem leaders right now.
Well, let me say that they better get their arses in gear soon! They (and the Justice Dept. are the only hope we have. The media (present company excepted) are doing nothing!
We no longer have the Justice Department. We have Pam Bondi as AG. We do have some federal judges who are making good rulings. Praise be for that. What the SCOTUS will do when cases arrive on their doorstep is another matter. We are out of power. Period. But that, of course, means we have to stand up and fight harder.
Trump. Musk are saving the overthrow of the rule of law for last ! He will do what
Andrew Jackson did (...You made a decision I don't like ...so enforce it !)
Executive Orders will become laws and fiat will decide the day!
The military will stay in it's barracks...and our, mostly revanchist police forces around the country will gleefully smash any public resistance...and there won't be much anyway !
Let's face it ...most of the world's populace through most of it's history has lived under despotism.....we were an anomaly .....a tiny ray of sunlight fading on the grass....and then it was over...we committed suicide !
Not many of us really care...check the numbers !
The Justice Department !?!....You mean the one with AG Bondi in charge ?.....I don't think so !!!
This coup will shift to revolutionary ( or counter-revolutionary actually....FDR and the New Deal being the revolution !)...just as soon as Musk/ Trump have got their people in control of all agencies, bureaus and departments and Musk has extracted all information from them.
All the Democrats in Congress seem to be doing is sending spam texts demanding money. For what exactly isn’t specified. So disappointing.
I also will not send any money to the DNC. IMHO our resources have to go to those like the ACLU who are fighting the legal fight, and grassroots organizations opposing this building autocracy.
Yes, I've been supporting the ACLU as well, since the first Trump regime. Fighting in the courts is good but time-consuming and risky because of all the Republican-appointed judges out there who don't support the Constitution, oddly enough.
And Democracy Docket.
Yes, they have been great in doing that. I have been ruthlessly unsubscribing from all emails and replying "Stop" to all texts for the past six months. I will not donate to any more politicians until they all develop some backbones, as long as I am unhappy with them.
Donate to Susan Crawford the D candidate in the Wisconsin Supreme Court election coming up on 4/1/2025. This doesn’t just matter for Wisconsin where their Supreme Court will either have a liberal, or a far right, majority after this election. Wisconsin is the tipping point state in presidential elections, and if Crawford prevails one of the benefits will be a high likelihood that R gerrymandered districts will be undone with the result that Dems will likely gain 2 House seats in 2026 which they will take by flipping 2 R seats. That’s a four point vote gain!!!! WISCONSIN matters. ELECTION IS JUST 6 weeks out!!!
This times 100!!!! And Ben Wikler can help make it happen.
I'm a member of Democracy Docket and The Contrarian. At least both are trying to inform the public and save democracy. I'm also on Blue Sky for the same reason.
I do not understand the reluctance of Dem pundits to call for the Congressional Dems to engage in “good trouble” ala John Lewis. It is time for civil disobedience.
Sad to say, that is just what the Two Fuhrers are hoping for--a chance to flex their muscle.
I bet the Democrats are talking about forming a committee to investigate a feasibility study to determine if a strong letter of condemnation should be drafted.
Sorry, but I think it is wishful thinking that this can be turned around by any other than physical means since the rule of law is now meaningless. Irreparable damage has already been done. It would take a military intervention to clear out this mess, and that would only be if the entire military were not corrupted and took seriously their oath to protect the constitution. It seems that the cowardice of politicians, even prior presidents, could be explained due to physical threats to them and their families, up to and including possible imprisonment in prisons being set up in foreign countries (I hope I am wrong, but I think, in passing, I saw something about a deal with El Salvador to take prisoners that were US Citizens - gulag for political prisoners?). Seems to me we now have a totalitarian government.
Too damn close to one, that’s for sure. Not quite there yet. That said, giving up or backing down is not an option we can take.
What? Do we believe Guantanamo is being built out just for illegal migrants? I know that's the reason given now. However, it’s important to note that the stated reason given by the Nazis was a facade. In reality, the original camps were designed to crush political opposition, incarcerate perceived enemies of the regime, and exploit forced labor. So, I am expecting a change fairly soon, as in 1933 when German opposition politicians were taken into "protective custody" or "Schutzhaft" without lawful arrest or trial for "re-education etc. The Nazi Propaganda machine portrayed the camps as necessary measures to protect Germany from internal enemies and maintain public order.
So who is going to stop MUMP from re-purposing Guantanamo? Schumer? You? Me? Trump's "Leibstandarte" Proud Boys?
I have come to the same distasteful conclusions you have, Alexandra
You did, indeed !....and El Salvador ( has a huuuge prison for hire !) and Guantanamo are going to be very useful.
As Autocrats have always known...a bit of well directed thuggery can be very useful in keeping the lid on things .....and so it will go!
Musk and his cadres now has a full directory of just about everybody they might want or need to track down....Search and destroy !
Pass the word: There will be an economic boycott on February 28th—do not make any purchases except for essential items (e.g. medicine). Many, of course, won’t get this message, but if enough people do it, it will demonstrate that we have power over the economy. The next boycott may be longer. It’s a small thing to do, but it’s a step that’s easy to do.
May I suggest that an extended economic boycott will be very effective in stopping the wealthy from pillaging the country. But for it to be effective, it must be sustained by the majority until conditions are met. What should be those conditions?
I also believe if the majority of taxpayers refused to pay their taxes until conditions are met that would be extremely effective.
The first problem is agreeing on the conditions that must be met. The second problem is convincing enough people to stay the course until the conditions are met.
This is the most peaceful and effective method of driving the robber barons out of power. But the reality is, it is next to impossible for the 99% to unite against the 1%, particularly when they hold all the cards. The wealthy understand the power of divide and conquer, and have the money and wherewithal to execute this strategy.
make sure the orgaizers have a loud megaphone on the day. the regular media won't say a thing.
where are you getting this info about boycotts?
See https://jointhepeoplesunion.com/
https://thirdact.org/texas/2025/02/10/u-s-economic-blackout-planned-for-feb-28/
https://www.newsweek.com/nationwide-economic-blackout-planned-boycott-dei-changes-2029548
https://www.newsweek.com/who-peoples-union-group-behind-nationwide-economic-blackout-2029654
Also look around on Facebook and Bluesky.
No Amazon, no Walmart, no Target, no BestBuy, no other major retailers. No fast food, no gas, no nothing. Don't buy anything on line. If you need emergency supplies or medicine, buy them from small, local retailers. Don't use credit or debit cards.
Further info about the one I previously linked to:
https://substack.com/@nolkaphanem/p-156098363
Irene,
I heard about this one, but it appears as though it's different than the one Jennifer Jensen mentioned.
https://substack.com/@nolkaphanem
For the March 15 action, also see https://generalstrikeus.com/.
Spread the word, about both Feb 28 and March 15. Tell five people and ask each person to tell five more, and those to tell five more, etc.
Norm Ornstein is spot-on. Desperate times call for desperate measures. The Democrats in Congress must use every tool at their disposal to oppose Musk-Trump's march toward autocracy. We have to act now, not wait for the mid-terms to save us, just as Norm notes.
We can't rely on the courts to save us, and in fact there's every indication that Musk-Trump would ignore a SCOTUS ruling against their coup and continue full speed ahead to dictatorship.
How we wound up in the crosshairs of the world's angriest rich man is beyond me, and that ain't Trump.
Joe Biden didn't invite him to a meeting on EV's and this is his vengeance. Also, perhaps he assessed Trump and the complicit GOP as ripe for being commandeered by another madman.
Oh, he did. Sociopaths are always looking for an opportunity, and unfortunately for us, Musk is a smarter sociopath than Trump.
It's not just one angry rich man.
There may be more, but I wasn't referring to Trump. He's as much of a useful idiot to Musk as JD Vance was to him.
Schumer does not seem to be able to really fire up the democrats and the voters. He is a wheeler-dealer, and has in the past used that tool to get things done. The problem is that we are in the process of losing our democracy, especially since all of the court orders so far have been ignored. How is the judicial system going to address this? Can't they issue an arrest warrant for Musk and crew, since they are in fact breaking the law? Trump should not be able to appeal any ruling without complying with the mandated orders first. This is getting to be pretty untenable to say the least.
Courts don't issue arrest warrants. They could find them in contempt, but with Trump holding the pardon power, no one's going to pay. Technically Trump is at the head of all this illegal, destructive activity, but he has been pronounced immune and the DOJ standard is not to prosecute a sitting president anyway. Trump has now pardoned the former Democratic governor of IL for his crimes & is stopping the prosecution of Eric Adams in NY. Steve Bannon, who Trump pardoned for federal fraud charges, just got a plea deal for related NY charges, with no jail time. We are now lawless. This is not a viable country. We need to be focusing on a new direction for those who oppose the Trump regime. I believe our best hopes lie with Democratic governors, if they would coalesce, organize and lead. FAST!
Chuck Schumer has been the worst Democratic Leader in the Senate in my lifetime. Democrats put on a show with their "floor filibuster" of the OMB Director. If Democrats had any guts whatsoever they'd have stayed on the floor until the GOP Senators backed off. Unfortunately for the American people, there is Schumer as the leader and the likes of my Senator Adam Senator who attended the inauguration (out of respect for the Presidency) and does nothing but go on talk shows. Then there is Senator Susan Collins who is always concerned and knows Trump has learned his lesson.
The worst Congressional member is Speaker Johnson who not only supported the attempted coup, using fake electors, in 2021; but now gives up the power of the purse to Trump. The GOP has never liked the Dept of Education, never liked the EPA, never liked government waste in spending, but refuses to vote on closing the Dept of Education or the EPA because their constituents would go crazy. The GOP promotes government waste in the DoD because the government contractors are in their districts and make contributions to their elections.
Perhaps this is just laying the groundwork for Putin to waltz in and sieze control after Trump and the coup crew take all the money and run. Destroy the nation's government, economy and credit, bankrupt us and leave us all dazed and ripe for the picking. All our natural resources falling into the hands of Russia. Trump spends the rest of his days lounging in Gaza-lago and Musk gets his fun money to escape to Mars. And, sadly, I think we're soft as a country so it would be too easy. A lot of bravado and tough talk and kick-ass movies but the average American at any socio-economic level doesn't know how to fight, suffer or sacrifice for a cause anymore. I bet a huge segment of the population isn't even aware of what's happening in DC.
Youre right Joanne. Id say 60 percent of Americans dont have the faintest....
No doubt. And once flouting of the Constitution and rule of law have proven successful, there's no reason Elon couldn't usurp the throne from Trump. It's a new world.
Quit worrying about fighting each battle. Mobilize and fight the war - stop the concentration of power in the presidency. We do have an army, it's our citizenry. Start putting out the call for rallies, demonstrations (#50501), and boycotts. Let the new federal government executives feel trauma every morning when they go to work. Who is/are our national leader(s) - put out a call for them! If you don't ask, not one will step forward. Let the attorneys fight in the courts, let the legislators fight in Congress, let the people mobilize.
Right on
I am listening for a coordinated call for millions to march on a single day all over the country-millions! A reporter interviewing a former Dem Congressman today said, "But people don't seem concerned." Unless I'm in a bubble, we are.
Thinking of other things that the average Citizen could do besides marches and sit ins. Certainly boycotts. Need to be creative boycotts. How about if you need to pay income tax that you submit an extension? Drain the banks of your cash. Send your old spoons to the White House ( a symbolic statement that we are not accepting a “fork in the road” . There are more things if we want to stir up good trouble. At this point, civil disobedience is about the only thing we can do.
https://substack.com/@nolkaphanem/p-156098363
https://substack.com/@nolkaphanem
and https://generalstrikeus.com/.
About the Feb 28 Economic Blackout: https://jointhepeoplesunion.com/,
https://thirdact.org/texas/2025/02/10/u-s-economic-blackout-planned-for-feb-28/
pts,
Thank you for sending that info!
I like the idea of boycotts. I think it's time to reinstate sit-ins! Much easier to do in Minnesota in February than protests outside. Bring it on!
A national strike would do. No one even needs to be on the streets....stay at home and call in sick. Bring the country to a grinding halt.
Also, see here:
https://substack.com/@nolkaphanem
https://substack.com/@nolkaphanem/p-156098363
I would add: NO extension to tax cuts! Not for 1 year or 1 minute. Even if they include some crumbs for the public. The pain must be shared (even though the wealthy won't really be in much pain).
Agree with all of that. On the subject of future elections, Trump’s mention of a 3rd term is not tongue in cheek. I maintain he will die in office, whenever that is. If he’s still alive in 2028, he’s not leaving office, no matter what.
Unless Elon replaces him.