Please tell us how we counter the obvious attack on Democracy. A new poll shows Rs pulling almost even on how people vote in the coming elections. How is that possible??
I don't think that is true, no. Their brand is still quite tarnished, and last I checked it was at least a 10% advantage to Dems. They have won virtually every special election in the last year. Trump just went to war with Iran. The only thing we have to fear is cheating and voter suppression. In a fair contest, the House will see 35-40 seats move blue, IMHO
People have short memories and shorter attention spans, and wars confuse their emotions. Also, do not trust every poll. The Voters this last year in the special elections showed us how they feel. Many months until election, and Trump has a track record of getting 'worse'.
Basic rule of politics (and life) be nice on the way up as those you have offended will be there on your way down. Too late for Repub damage control. They have become the Mar-a-Loco servants to Trump. Reps and Senators were elected to represent their state and should not have to account to Trump. Do not expect a lot of mercy when the tables turn.
If and when this madness ends, Presidential meddling (threats) and funding in state level politics needs to be limited. Using ones wealth and party control should not be allowed to fund primary wars against those who stood up to him.
We cannot have a democracy is politics is run like a mafia.
There are already laws and constitutional power to back it, to limit Presidents from withholding funds for any purpose. Trump ignores them along with all the other laws and aspects of the constitution. What we need is a structural limitation on Presidential power, starting with removing the justices who invented the idea of a 'Unitary Executive' who is all powerful and can only be limited by impeachment, which will take historic effort, even with ALL of his crimes, to make effective against Trump.
ANY plain reading of Article 2, if you read all one page of it, is clearly not granting the President such awesome powers. CLEARLY then, the constitution can not be used to over-rule clear and simple restraints upon his powers as recorded in laws passed by a congress, that were signed by presidents.
After removing the Justices, pass a law that directly relates to the constitution and interprets it more clearly, giving guidance for the justices in the tools they can employ and MUST employ when doing their jobs. Such as when using history as an excuse, must have such historical questions be answered, with historical evidence, in a lower court. Such as when addressing 'Major Questions' must not create new law, or constitutional rights not in the constitution. When interpreting the constitution must always address the ENTIRE section of the Constitution, and the rest of the constitution for context, to get a 'plain reading' of it. For instance, removal of Judges / justices is clearly NOT through the impeachment process, if you look simply at the end of article 2 and the beginning of article 3.
If one side in a case intends to use historical arguments in their appeals, they must bring them up, and prove them in their case in the lower courts. Otherwise SCOTUS can not make use of them, since all evidence is supposed to be tried in the lower courts.
Constitution does not enforce itself. Takes act of people willing to stand up for it. Start with independent FBI, not appointed by President on the golf course. Appoint James Comey and watch the sparks fly.
I would immediately call Judge Cannon to task for her obvious Trump sided rulings and why she has sealed records.
I agree, but there has always been the challenge of 'Who shall watch the watchmen'? Yes, good people DID stand up, but were then removed, or they quit rather than do crimes for the Adminstration. One result of that is that the complete incompetence of this administration is crippling them in most every way.
Trump has been getting the greenlight from SCOTUS to remove any and all positions in government who are not directly in congress or Judicial branch (with the sole exception of the Fed, because SCOTUS chickened out).
What we need is to get the politics out of SCOTUS and to obliterate this 'Unitary Executive' nonsense that is NOT in the Constitution at all, for anyone who actually READS it.
Our governmental design has some flaws, and an amendment or three may be needed to fix it.
Yep, hopefully it's a blue tsunami and we take it all. Accountability not just for Trump, but all his sycophants and Cabinet members. Oh wait, that's redundant. Also take on all the mega media mergers and break them up!
The possibility is also that the speaker sais this so that the abandonment of democracy it self is an option for republicans. The path that Trump has shown the beginning of.
The reality is that nobody appears to have the guts to publicly challenge Trump and his administration with hard facts proving him to be the liar and despot we all know him to be.
The Democrats will simply snipe from the sidelines and wring their hands like they always do. Meanwhile things will probably stay just the same.
Get rid of Hekeem Jeffries, he is NOT a moral person, and get rid of Chuck Schumer now
I have many friends who all hope new young democrats get into office but are just heart broken cause so many just plain awful, immoral, evil MAGA and stupid people live in the US. How to “live” with that????
When we win, IF we then do nothing to actually STOP trump and his minions who are already ignoring Congress, we will be seen as WEAK and useless. Certainly will not inspire voters in 2028 to trust us with real power. Do you honestly think, just because Democrats chair the meetings, Bondi will suddently become respectful? Do you think Trump will stop obstructing investigations?
2026 is an election that is ALL ABOUT Trump. What do you think the voters want?
Do you really think the voters care about a bulletproof case? Do you really think they care about legal procedures? Trump breaks the law in PUBLIC all the dang time. USE THOSE!
If, after impeaching Trump, as it works it's way through the Senate, sure, hold hearings, LOTS of hearings, to add juicy bits for background, but be ready for the Republicans to lie and shout and attack... and do NOT let them change the narrative, or introduce lies as evidence. In fact use their evasions and lies against them as further evidence of their complicity.
Problem definition: Trump has power, as do his cabinet members and Republicans in Congress.
2026 elections can solve the 'Republicans in Congress' directly, leaving Trump and his cabinet.
Assumed by many, problem with impeachment: Just because we failed twice does not mean we will fail a third time, IF we are willing to learn from our mistakes.
Analysis of Failures: We treated them like court trials and as though the jury of Republican Senators would treat their oaths with respect. In each case they used 'jury nullification' first based on, "It is a presidential Election year, let the voters decide" and then "Trump is no longer in office". NEITHER time did they address the impeachment (which is brought by the House) or the actual evidence or even the seriousness of the offense. Both times they took the politically most cowardly solution.
Solution: It is a POLITITICAL event, with the only rules being when and how the votes are cast. The Politics come from the voters, it is the voters the (Republican) politicians are concerned about. Voters are not going to have the patience to listen to long courtroom speeches.
Impeach Trump right after taking power in the Congress. ESPECIALLY if we have the senate majority, which sets the rules for the trial as to when and how the votes are cast.
Impeach Trump on ALL his crimes. Consider including his cabinet members who were complicit, in the same trial. NOTE: Trump, and his cabinet have committed MANY more crimes than in his first term. Hundreds of them, at least.
DO NOT waste time in endless 'investigations' before the impeachment, since Republicans will only shout and complain and never argue in good faith. Not only do we ALREADY have more than enough evidence for the true audience, but Republicans have already lost credibility.
During the Senate Trial (nothing else to do while Trump stays in power, ignoring congress) Senators can vote as soon as they have heard enough to believe Trump should be removed from power. Otherwise the prosecution will continue making it's case on each of the hundreds of charges. It will be the news. It will demand the focus of Trump and everyone. Their excuses will melt under the weight of all the crimes and past excuses which brought us here, and besides which, the 'referendum on Trump' will still be clear in people's minds.
IF WE DO NOT Impeach, we will look weak and ineffectual. Trump and republicans repeatedly broke ALL the rules. No more mister nice guy. No more assuming they honor any oaths. No more following the old rules, which Republicans BROKE and IGNORED. Help them understand their only chance of political survival is to vote to convict.
It will show Democrats are strong and ready to take bold action, which will be required in 2029.
No, it is not a stupid question. I struggled with that for years.
Most people are decent, but about 25% of them are addicted to hate in one form or another. Hate is a powerful emotion which gives people focus, but clouds their thinking.
Most people do not follow politics closely, so the biggest, simplest lies that they hear all the time will influence them much more than a constantly changing story line that the liar simply denies. Trump lies.
Most people, in fact most everyone, have very few subjects they expend any real effort to think about, and politics is not usually one of them.
Most people have a bias to 'go along with the crowd' or especially those with power. This does not make them bad, only more easily manipulated.
Most people have no skill in 'critical thinking', logic, history, spotting persuasion techniques (including lies and others) and of course such things as the constitution (not a hard read in reality)... There are other useful skills.
Then realize most politicians have some brains, but being human, and successful at getting elected, are going to have more of their 'strengths' in the area of being persuasive, charming, popular, and such people are not usually the brightest among us at solving complex problems. (whole other topic in how to identify and solve complex problems)
Then we have media companies owned by Billionaires, pushing their perspective into us every day. Some areas in our country are overwhelmingly exposed to right wing media.
Most people tend to think emotionally and think based on associations as opposed to facts and logic...
Our K-12 education system, while employing great, giving people, are structured to produce workers, not citizens. K-12 is structured to have kids memorize endless details, learn rules, work long hours daily (with homework and special projects) to pass standardized tests, with rarely the opportunity to think independently.
Certainly we do not teach basic mental health skills that can help people learn to regulate their emotions and manage their state of mind, that might help break the cycle of hate. We do not teach people how to identify and make coherent their 'identity' and core values, so that somebody trying to manipulate them can be spotted.
I consider most of the Trump supporters to be fellow 'victims' though many are too strongly addicted to their hate to be easily rescued.
Consider, as things get worse, more people 'wake up' and start paying attention, and the numbers no longer look 50-50.
Many voters in 2024 were feeling desperate and demanding change. Democrats were not proposing significant change, Trump was. Sure, WE knew he was lying and promising a lot of very bad things too, but (especially) desperate people tend to hear what they want to hear.
I do see a lot of hope, but it is based on things getting worse before we can make them better. It also is based on the hope that Democrats can think in terms of solving the BIG problems with bold solutions.
Please tell us how we counter the obvious attack on Democracy. A new poll shows Rs pulling almost even on how people vote in the coming elections. How is that possible??
I don't think that is true, no. Their brand is still quite tarnished, and last I checked it was at least a 10% advantage to Dems. They have won virtually every special election in the last year. Trump just went to war with Iran. The only thing we have to fear is cheating and voter suppression. In a fair contest, the House will see 35-40 seats move blue, IMHO
How IS that possible???????? So well said!!!!
People have short memories and shorter attention spans, and wars confuse their emotions. Also, do not trust every poll. The Voters this last year in the special elections showed us how they feel. Many months until election, and Trump has a track record of getting 'worse'.
Basic rule of politics (and life) be nice on the way up as those you have offended will be there on your way down. Too late for Repub damage control. They have become the Mar-a-Loco servants to Trump. Reps and Senators were elected to represent their state and should not have to account to Trump. Do not expect a lot of mercy when the tables turn.
If and when this madness ends, Presidential meddling (threats) and funding in state level politics needs to be limited. Using ones wealth and party control should not be allowed to fund primary wars against those who stood up to him.
We cannot have a democracy is politics is run like a mafia.
I have NO sympathy for the MAGA murderers
There are already laws and constitutional power to back it, to limit Presidents from withholding funds for any purpose. Trump ignores them along with all the other laws and aspects of the constitution. What we need is a structural limitation on Presidential power, starting with removing the justices who invented the idea of a 'Unitary Executive' who is all powerful and can only be limited by impeachment, which will take historic effort, even with ALL of his crimes, to make effective against Trump.
ANY plain reading of Article 2, if you read all one page of it, is clearly not granting the President such awesome powers. CLEARLY then, the constitution can not be used to over-rule clear and simple restraints upon his powers as recorded in laws passed by a congress, that were signed by presidents.
After removing the Justices, pass a law that directly relates to the constitution and interprets it more clearly, giving guidance for the justices in the tools they can employ and MUST employ when doing their jobs. Such as when using history as an excuse, must have such historical questions be answered, with historical evidence, in a lower court. Such as when addressing 'Major Questions' must not create new law, or constitutional rights not in the constitution. When interpreting the constitution must always address the ENTIRE section of the Constitution, and the rest of the constitution for context, to get a 'plain reading' of it. For instance, removal of Judges / justices is clearly NOT through the impeachment process, if you look simply at the end of article 2 and the beginning of article 3.
If one side in a case intends to use historical arguments in their appeals, they must bring them up, and prove them in their case in the lower courts. Otherwise SCOTUS can not make use of them, since all evidence is supposed to be tried in the lower courts.
Constitution does not enforce itself. Takes act of people willing to stand up for it. Start with independent FBI, not appointed by President on the golf course. Appoint James Comey and watch the sparks fly.
I would immediately call Judge Cannon to task for her obvious Trump sided rulings and why she has sealed records.
I agree, but there has always been the challenge of 'Who shall watch the watchmen'? Yes, good people DID stand up, but were then removed, or they quit rather than do crimes for the Adminstration. One result of that is that the complete incompetence of this administration is crippling them in most every way.
Trump has been getting the greenlight from SCOTUS to remove any and all positions in government who are not directly in congress or Judicial branch (with the sole exception of the Fed, because SCOTUS chickened out).
What we need is to get the politics out of SCOTUS and to obliterate this 'Unitary Executive' nonsense that is NOT in the Constitution at all, for anyone who actually READS it.
Our governmental design has some flaws, and an amendment or three may be needed to fix it.
Yep, hopefully it's a blue tsunami and we take it all. Accountability not just for Trump, but all his sycophants and Cabinet members. Oh wait, that's redundant. Also take on all the mega media mergers and break them up!
The possibility is also that the speaker sais this so that the abandonment of democracy it self is an option for republicans. The path that Trump has shown the beginning of.
That's an awful lot of "ifs".
The reality is that nobody appears to have the guts to publicly challenge Trump and his administration with hard facts proving him to be the liar and despot we all know him to be.
The Democrats will simply snipe from the sidelines and wring their hands like they always do. Meanwhile things will probably stay just the same.
That is why this is an existential issue for both sides--MAGA and traditional alike.
Get rid of Hekeem Jeffries, he is NOT a moral person, and get rid of Chuck Schumer now
I have many friends who all hope new young democrats get into office but are just heart broken cause so many just plain awful, immoral, evil MAGA and stupid people live in the US. How to “live” with that????
When we win, IF we then do nothing to actually STOP trump and his minions who are already ignoring Congress, we will be seen as WEAK and useless. Certainly will not inspire voters in 2028 to trust us with real power. Do you honestly think, just because Democrats chair the meetings, Bondi will suddently become respectful? Do you think Trump will stop obstructing investigations?
2026 is an election that is ALL ABOUT Trump. What do you think the voters want?
Do you really think the voters care about a bulletproof case? Do you really think they care about legal procedures? Trump breaks the law in PUBLIC all the dang time. USE THOSE!
If, after impeaching Trump, as it works it's way through the Senate, sure, hold hearings, LOTS of hearings, to add juicy bits for background, but be ready for the Republicans to lie and shout and attack... and do NOT let them change the narrative, or introduce lies as evidence. In fact use their evasions and lies against them as further evidence of their complicity.
Problem definition: Trump has power, as do his cabinet members and Republicans in Congress.
2026 elections can solve the 'Republicans in Congress' directly, leaving Trump and his cabinet.
Assumed by many, problem with impeachment: Just because we failed twice does not mean we will fail a third time, IF we are willing to learn from our mistakes.
Analysis of Failures: We treated them like court trials and as though the jury of Republican Senators would treat their oaths with respect. In each case they used 'jury nullification' first based on, "It is a presidential Election year, let the voters decide" and then "Trump is no longer in office". NEITHER time did they address the impeachment (which is brought by the House) or the actual evidence or even the seriousness of the offense. Both times they took the politically most cowardly solution.
Solution: It is a POLITITICAL event, with the only rules being when and how the votes are cast. The Politics come from the voters, it is the voters the (Republican) politicians are concerned about. Voters are not going to have the patience to listen to long courtroom speeches.
Impeach Trump right after taking power in the Congress. ESPECIALLY if we have the senate majority, which sets the rules for the trial as to when and how the votes are cast.
Impeach Trump on ALL his crimes. Consider including his cabinet members who were complicit, in the same trial. NOTE: Trump, and his cabinet have committed MANY more crimes than in his first term. Hundreds of them, at least.
DO NOT waste time in endless 'investigations' before the impeachment, since Republicans will only shout and complain and never argue in good faith. Not only do we ALREADY have more than enough evidence for the true audience, but Republicans have already lost credibility.
During the Senate Trial (nothing else to do while Trump stays in power, ignoring congress) Senators can vote as soon as they have heard enough to believe Trump should be removed from power. Otherwise the prosecution will continue making it's case on each of the hundreds of charges. It will be the news. It will demand the focus of Trump and everyone. Their excuses will melt under the weight of all the crimes and past excuses which brought us here, and besides which, the 'referendum on Trump' will still be clear in people's minds.
IF WE DO NOT Impeach, we will look weak and ineffectual. Trump and republicans repeatedly broke ALL the rules. No more mister nice guy. No more assuming they honor any oaths. No more following the old rules, which Republicans BROKE and IGNORED. Help them understand their only chance of political survival is to vote to convict.
It will show Democrats are strong and ready to take bold action, which will be required in 2029.
How do we live in a country where half the people are so awful?? It is NOT as stupid of a question as it sounds
No, it is not a stupid question. I struggled with that for years.
Most people are decent, but about 25% of them are addicted to hate in one form or another. Hate is a powerful emotion which gives people focus, but clouds their thinking.
Most people do not follow politics closely, so the biggest, simplest lies that they hear all the time will influence them much more than a constantly changing story line that the liar simply denies. Trump lies.
Most people, in fact most everyone, have very few subjects they expend any real effort to think about, and politics is not usually one of them.
Most people have a bias to 'go along with the crowd' or especially those with power. This does not make them bad, only more easily manipulated.
Most people have no skill in 'critical thinking', logic, history, spotting persuasion techniques (including lies and others) and of course such things as the constitution (not a hard read in reality)... There are other useful skills.
Then realize most politicians have some brains, but being human, and successful at getting elected, are going to have more of their 'strengths' in the area of being persuasive, charming, popular, and such people are not usually the brightest among us at solving complex problems. (whole other topic in how to identify and solve complex problems)
Then we have media companies owned by Billionaires, pushing their perspective into us every day. Some areas in our country are overwhelmingly exposed to right wing media.
Most people tend to think emotionally and think based on associations as opposed to facts and logic...
Our K-12 education system, while employing great, giving people, are structured to produce workers, not citizens. K-12 is structured to have kids memorize endless details, learn rules, work long hours daily (with homework and special projects) to pass standardized tests, with rarely the opportunity to think independently.
Certainly we do not teach basic mental health skills that can help people learn to regulate their emotions and manage their state of mind, that might help break the cycle of hate. We do not teach people how to identify and make coherent their 'identity' and core values, so that somebody trying to manipulate them can be spotted.
I consider most of the Trump supporters to be fellow 'victims' though many are too strongly addicted to their hate to be easily rescued.
Consider, as things get worse, more people 'wake up' and start paying attention, and the numbers no longer look 50-50.
Many voters in 2024 were feeling desperate and demanding change. Democrats were not proposing significant change, Trump was. Sure, WE knew he was lying and promising a lot of very bad things too, but (especially) desperate people tend to hear what they want to hear.
I have to think about this. U have a hopeful, helpful last remark. Thank u for the time u put in answering this difficult question
I do see a lot of hope, but it is based on things getting worse before we can make them better. It also is based on the hope that Democrats can think in terms of solving the BIG problems with bold solutions.