At this point, the short-term goal is to prevent another coup and keep the fascist Republicans from winning back control of Congress. We here at KOS already know we have to work and fight like crazy to get out the vote for the mid-terms.
Fascism Will Not go Away Voluntarily
That said, even assuming we keep at least one House, the fascists are not going away. They are entrenched in the Congress and are using the state governments they control to undermine both state and federal law.
And they have packed the Supreme Court with extremists in order to do the same. One member’s wife actually was reported to have supported the January 6th coup/attack on Congress! The packing was a “mini coup” that was successful unlike the Trump attempt on January 6th.
This dangerous and violent movement will remain after the mid-terms no matter the result. We have both a national media and a far-right info machine that contribute to the problem on a daily basis. The former pretends neutrality but leans right. The latter is openly fascist.
The Enemy has an Unlimited Bankroll
Behind the fascist movement is a nearly unlimited supply of corporate money controlled by both Wall Street elements, big businesses and a mega-wealthy class of billionaires and borderline trillionaires. But there would not be Trumpism without significant support from segments of the masses themselves. They are not yet a numerical majority and largely a creation of continuous lies and distortions long promoted by the information monopolies combined with the moral and structural damage levied by our white supremacist and racist history.
In particular it must be recognized that the mass basis of fascism (Trumpism/MAGA) is the resulting racism and irrational anger from segments of the white lower middle class and petti-bourgeoisie and their penchant for supporting dictatorships and dependence on authoritarian solutions and leaders. To them helping the poor and especially the black poor threatens their white skinned privileges.
We are the Majority, but . . .
Now that I’ve likely depressed you — and myself! — let me assert that there is a true and legitimate majority in our country, but one that no longer has a functioning Constitutional system behind them. Nor has as a backup that was once the two-party system that formerly recognized some level of the rule of law and cooperation in Congress. Its demise has already pushed the Republican Party to go all in on fascism. Unlike situations like Germany in the 1930s, the resulting move towards fascism was not precipitated by economic collapse but mainly by mass propaganda and the arrogance of power which has at its fingers the ability to exert disproportional influence of all levels of government policy.
Death of the Two-Party System
Which leads us to consider what policy direction the Democratic Party will now embark on. It must be recognized that before the present fascistic trends, the two-party system functioned more like competing capitalist businesses, party rhetoric aside.
When it came down to it, huge defense budgets were agreed to each year, imperial-like wars were fought and were mostly bipartisan, taxes on corporations have consistently dropped since WWII leading to a runaway redistribute of wealth to the top one percent. Corporate health often took precedence over any real priorities for low wage workers and the poor. And wealthy interests dominate government like never before.
I’m not going to argue that the two parties represent the same thing, but I think it’s fair to say that humanizing capitalism was not a priority and largely limited the type of minor reforms that were possible. It’s also fair to say that the Republicans rarely if ever did anything positive or progressive. The same cannot be said about the Democrats — any progressive legislation, reforms or policies that have ever been achieved can be mostly credited to the Democrats. Although it should be remembered that most progressive legislation was passed in response to mass pressure, organizing and struggle.
Market Capitalism, the Opposite of Humanism
The problem is that the major consequences of poorly regulated and amoral capitalism still cause or contribute to most of our current economic and social problems and are impossible to resolve without major reforms. Extreme polarization of wealth has reached new heights, or lows if you prefer. Real wages are down, pollution and climate change threaten the planet. Gentrification is a major national trend since the 70s. The latter is a tale of two cities and classes story representing a national capitalist economic policy, one which improves life for the haves but has worsened conditions for the have nots, who have been price driven out of the cities by the millions. Market capitalism is also a natural enemy of democracy, even a more limited one.
Crossroads?
Whither the Democratic Party of 2022 and beyond? It’s at a crossroads and cannot continue as it once did in the past. Its weaknesses have been supremely exploited by the Republicans, who currently aim to destroy it and enslave the country. The Democratic Party leadership should no longer see itself as competing with the Republicans to be a better vessel for Wall Street priorities.
Capitalism, if left to its own instincts and impulses, will destroy the entire planet. If I had one bit of advice to offer, it would be to recognize the death spiral we are on, and the need to change and made new functional alliances and align policies with the voters and not with corporate lobbyists.
The other bit of advice I would offer is probably also obvious to the leadership. The Democrats lack a reliable major media vehicle to reach enough voters and need to develop new messages, outreach methods and policies. Without this we are being demonized and politically neutralized. It must of necessity come up with a plan to overcome this fatal deficiency. BTW, there has been a noticeable improvement in these areas lately. I think Biden is finally taking the gloves off.
Unregulated Capitalism: a Threat to Democracy
Capitalism itself in America has evolved into a major threat to our democracy and our economic and mental health. It’s time we looked at this largely unregulated system in such a way. MAGA craziness is an example of what it has helped produce and finance. Trump inherited the conditions and the warped consciousness and racial anger that well financed wealthy right-wing elements have long promoted. Amoral market capitalism currently favors the Republicans, and cares little that they have gone over to racism and fascism. It does not mean there are no progressive or anti-fascist capitalists. But there may be many but are clearly a minority at this moment in our history and are certainly not represented in the Republican Party.