I am working my way up past the anger about SCOTUS. I am ready to channel the rage and get mobilized, organized into collective action. That’s where I am now after two days of sound and fury signifying nothing.
We need an action plan that has strategic elements (that will take some time to materialize) and tactical aspects (for immediate damage control and keeping the anger focused to make the Neanderthals pay an electoral price this November). It is NOT “either / or” — it is now “AND” — we need short-term actions combined with a long-term view to a vision of the future we all want.
At the National LEGISLATIVE level, Dems should gather behind one simple measure:
- Expand the SCOTUS to have 4 more Justices. It is now no longer theoretical that a 6-3 reactionary SCOTUS for the next 30 years will destroy the United States. This simple 1-step plan will motivate the center/left populace to vote in November. It is a concrete reform - everyone now knows what this court will do with unchecked power across the full gamut of issues. And, our base is thirsting for our national leaders, including Biden, to show any kind of fight and imagination instead of praying that R’s behave reasonably. Biden needs to understand that the game has changed. Shumer better figure out how to get the Sinemanchin axis need to line up. A simple majority in both the Senate and House of Representatives gets this done. It is the shortest distance between disaster and recovery.
- Democratic politicians better act soon — this is a Godsend change in momentum before the midterm. If you don’t act to protect the weak and vulnerable with the power you do have, voters (even ours) will punish you for pushing platitudes well past their “use by” dates!
- Expanding the SCOTUS addresses the power lever (SCOTUS) that is the single biggest threat to American progressives enacting popular reforms. That threat will be there for 30 years even if we keep winning elections (not guaranteed at all!) — we need to act and keep it really simple. No Powerpoint is needed!
In the EXECUTIVE branch, we need President Biden to exercise his full authority on the Roe V Wade fiasco:
- DoJ’s Aggressive Pursuit of Commerce Clause Violators: Very soon, there will be numerous private providers who will have portals to mail abortion pills to women in red states. Already, there are many privately funded abortion vacations available on demand. Such creative measures can work. But, the Justice Dept under Biden should announce that they will sue the States that prosecute individuals or institutions for traveling or using the mail to receive treatment.
- Leverage Federal Areas in Each State as Sanctuaries: Elie Mystal suggested that every state has areas that are NOT governed by State law and Biden could use them in his response to SCOTUS. He mentioned Federal buildings and facilities and I think it would be great to add Indian territories. These areas should be transformed into islands of compassion and healing in reactionary states where abortion is being denied. The Indian territories will also be able to benefit from the added investment in their deficient healthcare infrastructure.
At the GRASSROOTS and LOCAL level:
- Lawsuits by women of non-Christian faiths/atheists: I also want to see women of other religions and atheists sue the States where Christian fundamentalism is restricting their rights to an abortion. e.g. Judaism does not a fetus as life. Jewish women have rights too! https://twitter.com/jentaub/status/1541003827469508609?s=21&t=sAXoZ-83d2NLaQZV65SDpw Courts/SCOTUS should see a flood of such cases with women who have standing to sue the State for restricting abortion on religious grounds.
- Focus on Key Local Races that Will Make a Difference: Let us have sharing of information and attention through the progressive information sphere on KEY local races - the hidden danger to life in the US is Republican legislatures and Governors who are wingnuts on issues like abortion, voting rights, etc.. The positions taken by these politicians on these issues are NOT popular even in those states. Changing the balance of power in the states is crucial - it will take time, but the anger at the grassroots will help them to take a big step forward to stop runaway state machinery on abortion, voting rights, etc. We need the national Democrats to pay attention to these local races as well — and not just those in the glamor blue states.
I’m tired of being angry. I’m tired of hearing from angry people with whom I agree. What are we going to do about this crazy, f—ked up situation? That’s the only thing I want to hear about.
And which national and local leaders will have the heart and mind to look beyond the tried and true and bring us back from the edge of the abyss we face now?