There were two news stories that sent me over the edge this week: the DOJ dismissal of Flynn’s case; and Trump’s appointment of a new Postmaster General — a big supporter of his no less.
I’m worried. I’m very very anxious about what Trump has up his sleeve. We have Trump surrounding himself with a loyal cabal that does his bidding. Shouldn’t that raise concerns that we are in trouble? So far though, like Cassandra in ancient Troy, anyone that expresses the fear that November will come and go with Trump still entrenched — illegitimately — is labeled an “alarmist.”
There are many bread-crumb trails though, and if you follow just a few, that tell of a grim reckoning come November. This is true especially if you know historical context. We ignore the legacy of the Twentieth Century at our peril. But we are up against a wounded system coupled with an opposition party that still acts like these are normal times.
The nature of our political culture over the last several Presidents has led to a sort of cynical hubris. With every lie (16,000+ and counting) Trump wears down our defenses. But instead of hearing our democracy’s potential death knell, many status quo pundits just shrug it off as Beltway politics. There is this “well we tried impeachment, what can you do?” apathy. And “let’s see what voters decide”. Well what if voters don’t get to decide?
As red meat has become the normal dish served by — mainly — the GOP towards the Democratic Party establishment, they have negated any power from any legitimate voices that warn Trump seeks to be a dictator. For example, the instantly infamous “you lie!” normalized hyper partisan vitriol as just a sort of strategic play between parties. In reality, it was another step towards our post-truth era where no matter what is said, it’s given legitimacy because it was spoken by an elected representative.
This is why Trump has gotten away with installing a corrupt sycophant into the Department of Justice, apparently. Barr’s dismissal of the Flynn case is a blatant act of letting a criminal off the hook because he compromises the President’s position. So far though, I have heard no unified cry for impeaching the Attorney General. (Well other than Twitter, yawn).
In response to Trump’s appointment of long time advocate Louis DeJoy after weeks of open hostility to the USPS, we get raised voices, but that is all. From Rep Cleaver, strong words:
“This is a nail [in the coffin], but I don’t think it’s the final nail because I think that there are Republicans who are not going to stand for this. They know that we’re never going to get a private contractor to do what the USPS is doing,” said Cleaver. “If members of Congress remain silent and passive, the Post Office will not be in existence a year from now. People can blame this on Donald Trump all they want, but history will fault all of us who remain silent right now.”
But what comes next? Will there be a response that leads to legal action? If the USPS is completely gone a year from now, in what position will it be six months from now? Will it still be a viable option for voting in the federal elections during what will still be a raging pandemic most likely? Other than Cleaver, the lack of the DNC issuing a red alert is alarming all on its own. It smacks of apathy and hubris.
Let’s review what we’re up against for moment:
— A incompetent narcissist in the office of the Presidency. He rules through simmering resentment. And this is something that really doesn’t get much discussion — this ruling by anger. You know who else vaulted himself into absolute rule riding the back of seething discontent? Yes, Hitler. It is not the only way Trump’s actions mirror this most evil historical figure either.
— A person who holds one of the most powerful offices in America, AG Barr, that is doing Trump’s bidding. He is dismissing cases for Trump, obviously; and still has not let a non-redacted Mueller report see the light of day. This alone should have led to Barr’s impeachment, but the House does nothing but send out some very stern Tweets.
— A very partisan player — another Trump loyalist — being appointed to a very powerful position in regards to American’s right to vote. Again, if Cleaver, a seasoned public servant, is vocally worrying about the USPS being terminated by this action, what does that mean regarding the fate of our ability to vote by mail in November?
— Trump’s knowledge that he is not safe from criminal prosecution once he leaves office.
— And finally, Trump’s fascination and loyalty to Putin, whose government is also on the record as gaming the election in 2016 in favor of Trump. What do you think they’ve been talking about during their alone time? Do you know who else isn’t safe from prosecution once he leaves office? Yes, that’s right, Vladimir Putin. In this Frontline documentary, it is made clear why he must remain in office. You stay as ruler, you don’t go to jail:
It was the first stage of his coming to understanding that he could never quit the post because the destiny of Gadhafi could be waiting for him.
NARRATOR: In 2011, when Vladimir Putin announced he would run again for Russia’s presidency, the response was mass demonstrations in Moscow’s streets, protests which had to be put down by police.
EDWARD LUCAS, Senior Editor, The Economist: There’s never been a good succession model in the Soviet Union or in Russia, and he’s very worried about how he will leave power. He doesn’t want to leave in a coffin. He doesn’t want to go to a jail cell. He has got so many guilty secrets, so much money’s been stolen, so many people have been killed that he doesn’t really trust anyone to keep him safe if he steps down from power. So in a way, he’s both the master of the Kremlin, but also a prisoner in it.
For me, these dots connect to the well of anxiety that has just continued to rise since Trump’s inauguration; and is about to overflow. But again, the status quo doesn’t take any real action to counter this administration’s power grabs. The GOP screamed about a tan suit. Our Democratic leaders mostly Tweet and then just go along.
Everyone needs to be calling their representatives. Jam the phone lines. Crash the servers. (I’d say get out in the streets, but that leads to potential illness or death.)
Throw me a bone. I’d appreciate a discussion with some solutions. Counter arguments are welcome if they are based in speculation that uses facts to back up any reasons I am wrong to worry so much about the potential outcome of a coup via steeling an election. (But please keep it civil.)
For those that are very worried like me, I ask again: how can the people respond? What can we do to save our democracy if we are indeed on this trajectory?
Courage and hope — these emotions must prevail if we are to win back a nation ruled by just law. Can we the people succeed?
“We do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.” – Thomas Jefferson