It is clear that Republicans in support of Donald Trump want to end democracy in America. There might be different reasons on the part of each group and the individuals involved but the aim is shared: to dismantle the institutions of democracy, to distort the rule of law, and to eradicate all norms that support democracy. This has been a decades long effort and is now coming to fruition. Except for a few, Democrats have largely ignored the steady erosion of democracy and in some instances have been complicit in its demise. If we survive this onslaught, fundamental reform must happen and a recommitment to democratic values restored. I keep saying this, but we must do a better job educating our youth about how government is supposed to function and to cultivate an understanding of the principals that undergird democracy.
What is telling to me is that Democrats found the backbone to resist "with their feet" to oppose Texas redistricting....a good thing. They are articulate and clear that their "rule" is jeopardized by Gov. Abbot's actions... again a good thing.
When it comes to masked individuals grabbing people off of the street and putting them into vans, not so much with their feet, but with breathless exhortations explaining what is being done, but with shamefully little action and fewer results. I think the people are starting to realize that there are we have two parties interested mostly in their own self-perpetuation. We need another way. Listen to Bernie, listen to Lina Kahn, listen to Mamdani. We need another way to interrupt this descent into totalitarian rule.
M. Gessen on Democracy Now! last week:
"M. GESSEN: I can’t give prescriptions for resistance. What I do know, actually, is that where autocratic attempts have been reversed — and I’m not sure even we’re at the stage of an autocratic attempt; I think we’re beyond it. I think we are now living in an autocracy. And this is what autocracy in its early stages feels like, right? It feels like some people are being affected by — some people have the full experience of living in a police state, but most of us don’t. Some people have had their professional lives completely disrupted and have had their freedom of speech hugely impacted, but most people have not, and that, you know, just the number of people who live in a police state and the number of people whose daily lives are disrupted is just going to continue growing and growing and growing."
I think all Republicans should start wearing signs saying "I'm so incompetent and odious that I have to cheat to win." Because that's the only way they ever do. They're pathetic losers and should be called that at every opportunity.
Re: It's not who casts the votes, it's who counts the votes." Please donate to support Smart Elections. Their lawsuit is the only chance we have before the 2026 midterm elections to determine whether or not Trump has figured out a way to remotely manipulate ballot tabulators to ensure he maintains Republican control of the House and the Senate. Why do he and Republican leadership seem so unconcerned about the unpopularity of the Big Beautiful Bill and ICE actions? They know voting won't matter.
Thank you for sharing this. I perused the website. Holding a One Million Rising community gathering tomorrow night and I'm compiling a list of orgs to fund. Can you tell me how you know Smart Elections is worthy of a donation so I can share it? There are so many asking for $ and a billion didn't win the election in 2024 so people are leery.
It is clear that Republicans in support of Donald Trump want to end democracy in America. There might be different reasons on the part of each group and the individuals involved but the aim is shared: to dismantle the institutions of democracy, to distort the rule of law, and to eradicate all norms that support democracy. This has been a decades long effort and is now coming to fruition. Except for a few, Democrats have largely ignored the steady erosion of democracy and in some instances have been complicit in its demise. If we survive this onslaught, fundamental reform must happen and a recommitment to democratic values restored. I keep saying this, but we must do a better job educating our youth about how government is supposed to function and to cultivate an understanding of the principals that undergird democracy.
My guess: it won't matter that this regime can't navigate an actual Census. They will just say they did it and announce the results they want.
What is telling to me is that Democrats found the backbone to resist "with their feet" to oppose Texas redistricting....a good thing. They are articulate and clear that their "rule" is jeopardized by Gov. Abbot's actions... again a good thing.
When it comes to masked individuals grabbing people off of the street and putting them into vans, not so much with their feet, but with breathless exhortations explaining what is being done, but with shamefully little action and fewer results. I think the people are starting to realize that there are we have two parties interested mostly in their own self-perpetuation. We need another way. Listen to Bernie, listen to Lina Kahn, listen to Mamdani. We need another way to interrupt this descent into totalitarian rule.
M. Gessen on Democracy Now! last week:
"M. GESSEN: I can’t give prescriptions for resistance. What I do know, actually, is that where autocratic attempts have been reversed — and I’m not sure even we’re at the stage of an autocratic attempt; I think we’re beyond it. I think we are now living in an autocracy. And this is what autocracy in its early stages feels like, right? It feels like some people are being affected by — some people have the full experience of living in a police state, but most of us don’t. Some people have had their professional lives completely disrupted and have had their freedom of speech hugely impacted, but most people have not, and that, you know, just the number of people who live in a police state and the number of people whose daily lives are disrupted is just going to continue growing and growing and growing."
An article from a Canadian journalist:
https://thetyee.ca/Analysis/2025/08/08/Trump-War-Democracy-Moves-Texas/?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email
Are we live yet??
I think all Republicans should start wearing signs saying "I'm so incompetent and odious that I have to cheat to win." Because that's the only way they ever do. They're pathetic losers and should be called that at every opportunity.
Re: It's not who casts the votes, it's who counts the votes." Please donate to support Smart Elections. Their lawsuit is the only chance we have before the 2026 midterm elections to determine whether or not Trump has figured out a way to remotely manipulate ballot tabulators to ensure he maintains Republican control of the House and the Senate. Why do he and Republican leadership seem so unconcerned about the unpopularity of the Big Beautiful Bill and ICE actions? They know voting won't matter.
https://smartelections.us/lawsuits-1
Thank you for sharing this. I perused the website. Holding a One Million Rising community gathering tomorrow night and I'm compiling a list of orgs to fund. Can you tell me how you know Smart Elections is worthy of a donation so I can share it? There are so many asking for $ and a billion didn't win the election in 2024 so people are leery.