REINVIGORATING CLASSIC VALUES

I recently discussed with some friends and family that “tradition” does not always provide helpful or efficacious guidance, because some traditions  or systemic practices –like segregation or unequal pay for women-- produce lasting  negative effects upon a targeted or despised group of people. We might say it is most desirable to follow traditions that improve the lot of humankind and reject those harmful traditions that show contempt or disrespect for the welfare of other members of our human race.

It’s not an outstanding proverb, perhaps, but it reminded me that there are some practices from our past that may speak to our current existential crisis.  IN FACT, let me set before you three subjects that are growing in their urgency right now and around which the thread of inappropriate traditions are tightly woven.

1)     VOTING.  Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia is wrong to oppose S.1—For the People Act -- and its provisions regarding voting rights and election protocols.  He has embarked upon a path that leads to destruction of our democracy.   He has  --in the name of preserving bipartisanship—essentially joined in insurrection politics being practiced by the Far-Right Trump Republican Party.  He has joined radical Republicans in their attempts to win elections at all costs and to protect white supremacy.  If they can block S.1 and pass a major portion of the 400+ voter restriction bills in targeted states, these Trumpian Republicans will achieve their goal of electoral control for the foreseeable future.   

Manchin has chosen to support, not bipartisanship, but PARTNERSHIP with an anti-democratic movement that seeks the erosion of democratic ideals.   He has made a choice that lends support to the nefarious pieces of state legislation that are intentionally aimed at reducing and denying the vote to certain people who happen to vote or lean Democratic in their ballot preferences.  He has chosen to allow the harmful tradition of voter suppression to proceed unchecked.  He has by his words and actions inferred that he does not honor those who have given their lives in wars and causes dedicated to maintaining the fundamental right of the People to choose their representatives and to express their opinions by their votes.  By sticking with the illusion of bipartisanship as a condition for his support of S.1, he has aligned himself with those insurrection forces bent on overthrowing the constitutional protection or expansion of that voting right in Amendments 15, 19, 24, and 26, and in subsequent Voting Rights legislation.

Section 1. “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color or previous condition of servitude.

Section 2.  The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.”

While the Constitution in each of these Amendments assigns Congress the power to pass appropriate legislation to enforce their provisions, nowhere does the Constitution suggest that such legislation is dependent upon “bipartisanship.”

But the Constitution does call upon Joe Manchin, and every Senator, to do something of solemn import. It requires each of them to take an oath of affirmation in which they promise to  protect and defend the Constitution “against all enemies.”  It does not say “you shall support only that  legislation that is bipartisan.”

This is the oath Manchin took to protect our Constitution:

“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.”

In essence, neither the Constitution nor the oath of office indicate that the Senator has the obligation or duty to protect and defend the political concept of bipartisanship. And that is because bipartisanship is not one of the major goals or outcomes to be sought by the Congress.  In fact, the major outcomes stressed are put forth in the PREAMBLE to the constitution and they are:

·        Form a more perfect union (not primarily between members of the Congress but of the People of the various states and among the states themselves).  A bipartisan approach among elected representatives leading toward that major goal of perfecting unity is a desirable strategy but not the only one.  In-depth debate, sharing of ideas, majority vote,  committee research, team consensus, and super majority vote for certain matters such as treaties are all strategies for arriving at the desired goal of perfecting unity, just as they are for the other major constitutional outcomes or goals.

·        Establish Justice

·        Ensure Domestic tranquility

·        Provide for the Common Defense

·        Promote the General Welfare

·        Ensure the Blessings of Liberty for ourselves and our Posterity

Senator  Joe Manchin has confused secondary and strategic objectives with a goal   of major or primary import.  Bipartisanship is not a goal of major import like the right to vote and national unity, but is simply one strategy, method, or means toward accomplishing  outcomes of prime import for the People as set forth in the Constitution and its PREAMBLE. 

By promising to vote against S.1, Joe Manchin has violated his oath of office and his solemn duty to protect and defend the Constitution.  Here’s how, in summary:

By voting with the Party that wants to suppress                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      the right to vote for several groups, particularly targeting African-Americans, Manchin  has undermined the purpose of the Fifteenth (and other) Amendment to the Constitution which is to protect the right to vote from restrictions that deny or abridge (“lessen, curtail or deprive”) that right. 

By defending bipartisanship instead of the sacred right to vote, Joe Manchin has chosen party politics and winning elections as superior to protecting the Constitution, and he should be called to account for his anti-democratic apostasy., sometimes called  by the more accurate term of unconstitutional behavior bordering on the offence of treason. 

 

One more point: all that has applied to Joe Machin must be applied to others in democratic leadership in House and Senate.  Allowing Republicans to have any part in degrading S.1 is a collaboration with the forces of destruction of the very principles that HR1 and S1 are attempting to engender in our system.  Allowing them to lessen any provision of this Act, or to take any credit for its passage after gutting it,  is the epitome of capitulation to the insurrection tactics of the Trumpian Party.  It is time to invite Republican participation in  legislation on a one-time basis.  If acceptance is delayed or refused, so is their chance to participate.

Given the promise affirmed by their oath of office, Democrats (and all members of Congress) have no alternative but to protect and defend the Constitution and the laws that support it.  Those who have designs on its democratic foundations must not be allowed to erode its principles .  The aim of Trump-pets is not bipartisanship.  Their aim is absolute power as voiced repeatedly by Donald J. Trump.  The oath says, “protect and defend.”  It does not say “bargain and capitulate.”

 2)     REPRESENTATION.  There is a major question that needs to be discussed and answered carefully if we expect to save and improve our system of representative democracy. Our system is supposedly built upon the People, the citizenry, the electorate.  The representatives of the People are meant to ‘stand-in’ for those citizens; in slightly different modes it seems.   The Founders established a bi-cameral legislature with one House representing the average citizen and the Senate  making sure that states large and small have equal voice and vote, with the added characteristic perhaps of greater maturity, education and experience that would tend to produce in-depth debate,  a broader perspective and hopefully wiser counsel for the states, the Congress, and the President.  It was a somewhat daring move for this nascent country attempting to build and to maintain a unity that would strengthen its place in a more authoritarian context.  The bicameral system of representation has at times worked as envisioned and failed miserably at other times.

At various points along the way, the concept of being the stand-in, the voice of, and the advocate for the People back home has been tinkered with, redefined and realigned.  There are numerous causes, some listed here briefly without examination or explanation because that would eat up too much time and space.  The items listed contain some connection to the current situation with Joe Manchin and others

§  Political parties attempting to gain absolute power by restricting or suppressing certain voters

§  Corporations and Capitalists lobbying for their interests and control

§  Supreme Court decisions making false equivalents of money as free speech and corporations as individuals

§  Outside and foreign interests interfering with democratic processes

§  Far Right white supremacists, neo-Nazis and trained militia using violence and domestic terrorism to intimidate legislators (and voters!)

§  GUN lobby instilling fear of defeat into gun control advocates

§  Use of congressional committee structure to fan the flames of anti-democracy and misinformation

§  Special privileges, waivers and perks distract and pull representatives from their constitutional obligations and tasks, setting them apart from their constituents

§  the use of a congressional seat as the gateway to lucrative positions in the private sector

§  The development of more sophisticated (and biased) polling

§  Gerrymandering, voting restrictions, unproven fraud allegations and accusations against election officials all affect the obligation to speak for one’s constituents

§  The closing of the gap in terms of education, knowledge and experience meant that the People have in many cases surpassed the intellectual and pragmatic knowledge of their representatives, thus able to demand more and to criticize their performance as representatives with both depth and effectiveness

§  Unclear descriptions and inadequate information provided to newly elected congresspersons; inadequate on-going in-service training; in many cases, it is experienced staff and personnel who provide guidance and training, not the other way round.

And so, we return to the basic questions of representation:

§  who is being represented in the halls of government? For instance, by Joe Manchin since it appears the people of West Virginia support S.1.  Here’s a mention of that from one reporter:

“MSNBC's Rachel Maddow showed stunning new West Virginia polling just one day after Sen. Joe Manchin wrote in an op-ed that he wouldn't support the For the People Act to protect voting rights and democracy because the bill isn't bipartisan.  In his own West Virginia -- one of the reddest states in the country -- support for the bill is overwhelming and bipartisan. 81% of Democratic, 79% of independent, and 76% of Republican voters want the For the People Act.”

 SO – Who is Joe Manchin representing?

 §   what continuing mechanisms exist for obtaining the opinions and concerns of the constituents; and how is that data used?

§  What  changes and improvements are needed, and what so-called ‘traditions’ are inadequate and even wasteful in these times?  

Since I have dealt with several of these concerns in the past (see posts at 02/08/2016, 02/28/2017, 06/17/2018, plus 11/19/2018, 09/18/2020 and 02/10/2021, I will restrict myself to just a few targeted thoughts:

Job descriptions for Congressmen are hard to find; most are self-constructed. We need something that covers the basic requirements for all representatives as a suitable handbook. One handbook of 7 pages gets handed out in orientation; but it deals mainly with fiscal matters and tells them what and how they can spend. 

Here is a telling Introduction to a Handbook for Congressmen that is a grant project undertaken by the Congressional Management Foundation.  It is a well-researched, well-written, and fairly comprehensive piece, PUBLISHED in 2018 but not  yet an official handout to new congresspersons.  The Introduction to their handbook suggests this omission is problematic and shortsighted:

        “Every two years, more than one thousand Americans run for a seat in the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives. They work tirelessly for months—sometimes years—for the opportunity to serve in our national legislature. Most of them are inspired individuals committed to making a difference for their constituents, the country, and the world through public service. Once they arrive in Washington, they usually have a clear sense of what they want to accomplish, though many may not be fully aware of the breadth of their new job. What exactly does a Member of the United States Congress do? In the 2012 Global Parliamentary Report: The Changing Nature of Parliamentary Representation, the authors note that “Being an elected politician remains one of the few professions for which there is no job description, and there are few guides as to whom, how or what a politician should represent.”  Of course, there are many sources of information about Congress, how Senators and Representatives vote and construct public policy, how a bill becomes a law, and whole fields of political science dedicated to analyzing the product of Members’ work, but few address the basic components of the job. The Congressional Management Foundation (CMF) decided to remedy this gap by creating a job description, vetted with former and current congressional staff, for Members of Congress. While such documents exist for the most common House and Senate personal office positions, until now none has existed for a Senator or Representative. Though we do not propose it as the definitive word on the role Senators and Representatives play in our democracy, we envision it as a means for current and future Members of Congress, staff, and citizens to think about what legislators do, and serve as a reminder of their commitment to public service.”

PLEASE NOTE again: Although published in 2018, the handbook has not yet been officially sanctioned as  something handed out to all new Congresspersons.‘          

In addition, what kind of in-service training do congresspersons receive other than on-the-job learning?  Not much I’m afraid, unless they seek it out  for themselves from the many sources and resources available in the D.C. area. The CMF offers a good number of training courses on video or online, all available through their office. Setting up offices and working with constituents seem to be mostly aimed at  congressional staff with limited resources related to representatives themselves.  Some training materials are also offered by Ethics Committees of both Houses, mostly in the form of publications. 

In my humble opinion, there appears to be a lack of pertinent training of congresspeople in problem-solving techniques, in group dynamics and team functioning, in leadership techniques, and in how to research and how to solicit and use  input from constituents.  Those shortcomings are evident in everything representatives do, from Town Halls to committee hearings.  HAVING myself undertaken (and instructed others) in all such forms of training in several venues, I cannot believe we allow untrained representatives to represent and stand for us when so many of us are required to approach our jobs with in-depth descriptions, continuous in-service training and evaluated practices.

Even fast-food  workers are required to have certain amounts of training. And workers in a wide variety of occupations are required to have a certain number of hours of training before they can be considered for  higher level positions.  Yet, the representatives we choose to represent us aren’t even required to learn techniques and skills for soliciting  and utilizing our input.  Nor are they required to learn and utilize proven techniques and best practices to solve the problems that confront us.  In too many cases they are untrained political hacks or junkies who have nothing to offer us but lies, misinformation, political propaganda and made-up issues that promise attention and votes from the distorted and captured minds of human lemmings.

What we desperately need are committed people trained in new systems, skills, and techniques who know that the source of real power is available in the people who live each day with the exigencies of real life.  We need representation who can grow the potential that exists in every group in every part of this country.

HOWEVER, IF enough citizens continue to vote to place untrained, untested, uncommitted do-nothings into public office we shall deserve the autocratic violence that often emerges from the depths of such inanity, just as it did on January 6th.  We have a responsibility to probe our candidates and their positions thoroughly and to reject those who are not adequately prepared to stand for us in the halls of government. It is no longer viable to vote along Party lines or for someone who seems to be a “nice person.” 

Traditional attitudes about representation must be cast aside and new criteria demanded for all public servants.  The election of Donald Trump and his idolatrous followers should inspire us to move beyond our current inadequate requirements for public office candidates and incumbents.

3)     CHANGE.  Finally, we take up the topic of CHANGE.  Change is usually thought of as a throwing out of traditional  matters and the beginning of anarchy resulting from taking  risks with new and untested systems.  Part of that is true, but change is much more than that.  For me, it has often involved the re-discovery of classic truths that had seemed to be diminished or lost.

Real change often involves deep examination and some risk in finding and promoting classic values and tenets in new forms.  It can involve experimentation and some failure.   It requires some optimism and critical analysis.  It is not easy; it is hard work because real change involves threats to the myths, prejudices, and biases, lies and bamboozles that we have accumulated over a lifetime, and to which many cling with unyielding tenacity. 

In our current situation, real change, as it often does, must involve the criticism and rejection of the false values and lies that have arisen as weapons employed to stop all proposed changes.  There can be no real change until the big lies, distorted actions, autocratic beliefs and despotic behaviors are thoroughly publicized, refuted, and rejected.  Because of their volatility and toxicity, they cannot simply be ignored, diminished or written-off as one-time errors in judgment.  They must be constantly displayed as anti-democratic and as omens of destruction of our form of governing.

 There is still much to do in that regard and hearings before congressional committees, select committee reports, special commissions and other investigative entities  must not be delayed nor truncated.  This exposure of truth must occupy us for the long haul because the effects of despotic Trumpism is not short-term. Its wide-ranging effects will plague us over long periods and we must not let up on efforts to wipe out this political virus.  We cannot allow their lies to overcome the enduring truths of our democracy. 

When we see our world dying in front of our eyes both physically and ethically, we cannot continue to accept the flawed systems and practices that are now the potential destroyers of this nation’s government.  The pandemic, the pending destruction of our planet and the denigration or assignment to a caste of certain people of this earth are not acceptable traditions and must be expunged.

One of the classic truths that must be reinvigorated is that we are the stewards of this world and all of us are partners in that effort.  The environment and the world are ours to kill or to develop.  THE WINDOW OF CHOICE is rapidly closing; we must decide NOW to save our planet and reject those who continue to profit from destructive exploitation of traditional uses of elements that are poisoning our environment.  It is past time to set end times for use of destructive fossil fuels and deadly by-products and to set implementation deadlines for alternative  resources that will not be harmful to our existence.

 A similar crisis exists in terms of our ethical view of life.  We cannot continue to ignore the damage being done to bodies and spirits by lies, misinformation, the denigration of  persons of  minority status and people of different abilities, appearances, and customs. The de-humanizing of people is as destructive as environmental assault.

And then, there is the whole area of human welfare and justice.  When certain systems, beliefs and practices put human values and lives on hold or under assault, in-depth change must happen to undo such practices and processes lest we lose that which makes us other than animals. 

We are teetering on the edge of destruction of more than we realize, and no amount of false information or conspiracy theories will save us from that destruction.  It is only deep-seated change based on self-evident truths that can make a difference.  Real Change begins with re-discovery of essential and fundamental truths and values.  That is our mission in this crucial time. 

We could perhaps start where this nation started when it declared independence.  That Declaration contained some items that need re-discovery such as in Its second paragraph:

“WE hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”  A good place to begin the renewal of our system and our values.

THE BILL OF RIGHTS enlarges on these self-evident inalienable rights that likewise need recovery and revitalization, like freedom of speech, freedom of religious expression, a free press, the right to speedy trial by jury. Others range from not incriminating oneself to peaceful assembly and petitioning of government for redress of grievances.  The right to keep and bear arms needs continued debate and litigation to mitigate acts of mass violence that are close to epidemic proportions.

We need to start, quite simply, with repeated displays of self-evident truths. Why aren’t we following the example of the Lincoln Project and producing their kind of hard-hitting ads against the Trump agenda and legacy?  Is it too much to ask of the DNC and DCCC that they undertake a similar project and the fund-raising to support it?

Second, is it too much to ask those same organizations (and others) to start a nationwide project of training for  candidates and potential candidates, poll watchers, election board members, etc., so that we can develop a candidate pool and election experts who can apply their superior tools and approaches to problem-solving and practical proven methods of initiating real change that affects people where they live?

Third, is it impossible to begin to play some “hard ball” with states and individuals who use lies, conspiracies, or blocking strategies to prevent progress or to promote regression to anti-democratic functions?  Is there no ability to slow or deny certain federal funding, or expected favors, or to reject grant applications and deny fund requests?  Is it possible to take such actions like this to engender state legislature rejection of voter suppression legislation in any form? 

Don’t like it?  Neither do I, but neither do I like the anti-democratic attacks and insurrections being used by radical Republicans to destroy our democracy. Are there  crucial times when we must do things we don’t like to bring about desirable outcomes while being especially vigilant about this spilling-over into partisan vengeance?  Do the ends ever justify the means?  Trumpians believe they do when personal power is at stake.  What about when our society, our government and our planet are threatened with total destruction – does that justify drastic hard-ball measures against the perpetrators of decay and destruction?  The debate goes on, but one thing is certain: accountability is not optional -it  must be imperative !

In conclusion,  whatever happened to the entrepreneurial spirit of risk or investment?  Whatever happened to the American spirit of experimenting and creating new things?  Where did that neighborly spirit of helping others in crisis or in difficulty hide itself? Who decided that government is an enemy, or that policework is equivalent to “order” and “enforcement” rather than to the well-being and guardianship of all?  Where is that spirit of supporting the “underdog” or welcoming the oppressed of other lands?  And where did we put that characteristic of ours that so captured the imaginations of others around the globe – that American optimism and voluntarism  that was always seeking to improve, to make better, to make progress – where is that gratitude that motivates us to keep America Beautiful, Bountiful, and welcoming -- a place of opportunity and new beginnings, of second chances and of the spirit of building new hope, new things, and new lives?  I sincerely believe that much of this is what the Biden administration aims to “bring back better.”

Are we preparing ourselves for that mission?  OR, have we allowed the forces of erosion to triumph over our ideals, our optimism, our indomitable spirit of getting up, brushing ourselves off and starting over?  Have we allowed the forces of inaction, privilege, and profit to undo our environment, our values, and our resilience?  Have we given over our fundamental ideals to erosive forces that want to substitute political power and violent control for equal opportunity, rule of law, and a continuing movement toward progress in human dignity and well-being?

The Key is not to accept the lies that lead to erosion, degradation, and destruction, but to confront and deny those forces as soon as they make an appearance and on a  continuing basis.  The Key is to search for  classic fundamental values and ideas and to make those our guiding principles in every realm of human existence and endeavor.  It is time to resurrect not to insurrect; time to speak-out, not to hush up.  Time to experiment and innovate, not to equivocate and denigrate.  Time to renew by total rejection of erosive forces plus critical acceptance of the values that re-invigorate, re-claim and renew our underlying self-evident and enduring truths of equality, justice, and opportunity for fulfillment (‘happiness’).  

HOW? You ask.  Attempts to provide specific and pragmatic answers appear in almost every post on this BLOG.  Feel free to explore by consulting the Contents page.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

              

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REPUBLICANS CHOOSE INSURRECTION AGAIN

 Let us begin this post by recognizing the devastation of the mass killing in San Jose, California.  Besides deep sadness for those killed, we grieve with their families who are left with the results of this attack.  Let us hope they are well-cared for by others in a position to do so, including government representatives.

It is unnerving that there is a context surrounding this and other incidents of violence and non-violence with the same overall purpose.  Let us explore that context.  It starts, not with Jan.6^th, but with the announcement by “entrepreneur” and real estate “developer” (and TV show host), Donald Trump, that he is running for President of the U.S.  What he said in that announcement should have provided clues to the context of this present moment.  He said (and I have interpreted)some revealing words and phrases:

·        “We don’t have victories anymore.  When was the last time anybody saw us beating, let’s say, China in a trade deal? They kill us. I beat China all the time.”  (Winning is everything; might is its intimate companion)

·        “The U.S. has become a dumping ground for everybody else’s problems.” (Blame on others is rampant in Trump land and global issues are swept aside)

·        “When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best. They're sending people that have lots of problems, and they're bringing those problems with us. They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.” (Fear is primary in human activity; play to their fears to control their responses) (scapegoats are important to blaming others for one’s failures)

·        “It's coming from more than Mexico. It's coming from all over South and Latin America, and it's coming probably -- probably -- from the Middle East. But we don't know. Because we have no protection and we have no competence, we don't know what's happening. And it's got to stop, and it's got to stop fast.” (more fear; more prejudice; more religious intolerance to identify our enemies)

·        “I love the military, and I want to have the strongest military that we've ever had, and we need it more now than ever.” (might and power are essential for a strong man image)

·        “Last quarter, it was just announced our gross domestic product -- a sign of strength, right? But not for us. It was below zero. Whoever heard of this? It's never below zero.” (using non-measures of might to measure strength)

·        “And our real unemployment is anywhere from 18 to 20 percent. Don't believe the 5.6. Don't believe it” (cast doubt on the press, the government and government workers)

·        “A lot of people up there can't get jobs. They can't get jobs, because there are no jobs, because China has our jobs and Mexico has our jobs. They all have jobs.”  (divide and conquer)

·        “Our enemies are getting stronger and stronger by the way, and we as a country are getting weaker. Even our nuclear arsenal doesn't work” (blame previous administration for failures; equate with ‘enemies’)

·        “We have a disaster called the big lie: Obamacare” (attack all liberal policies as lies)

·        “Now, our country needs… a truly great leader, and we need a truly great leader now. We need a leader that wrote "The Art of the Deal." We need -- we need somebody…-that literally will take this country and make it great again” (the one strong Leader is of highest import not the People)

·        “We don’t need nice.” (violence and denigration are of great importance in takeover process)

·        “They're tired of spending more money on education than any nation in the world per capita, than any nation in the world… 25 countries are better than us in education.” (destroy education that is public-oriented)

·        “I would build a great wall, and nobody builds walls better than me, believe me, and I'll build them very inexpensively, I will build a great, great wall on our southern border. And I will have Mexico pay for that wall.”  (take belligerent action to keep others on the outside)

·        “Fully support and back up the Second Amendment” (violence wins again!)

·        “…education has to be local.”

·        “Rebuild infrastructure.  Nobody can do that like me. Believe me. It will be done on time, on budget, way below cost, way below what anyone ever thought” (the great Leader is the source of all matters related to the State)

His small audience then and his base now missed the context; they missed the hidden meanings; they missed the fascist elements lurking and ready to pounce.  They simply missed or dismissed the lies, the emphasis on military might, the scapegoating, the blame placed on everyone else especially politicians and rivals; the racism; the dependence on him alone; the nationalistic bombast; the emphasis on private education called ‘local’.  The need to be the Winner; the Leader and the Mighty is his motivation. The most important element perhaps was his opposition to public programs like healthcare and education.  This was the message of a man in search of autocratic power based on his knowledge, his agenda, his decisions – never mind the people except for the rich cronies he mentions throughout.  He basically told us who he was and what he was after – absolute power – and we missed it!

Let me now approach this topic of absolute power and might from another direction, demurring somewhat from the direction of leading Democrats.  I am afraid that Democrats, including Biden and Harris, are losing sight of what is happening and what needs to happen.  Our Democratic Party  is -- as it does so often -- dealing with policy issues when process issues, concentrated on government takeover, are what is happening, and exactly what must be urgently addressed.

In other words, what is going on in Arizona (and soon in other states like Georgia, Michigan, maybe Pennsylvania) is what is important, not how the COVID virus got started or where.  What is happening in Arizona with the fake “audit” of votes by 3^rd party contractors loyal to Trump is not unlike what is happening with the rise of gun violence and mass shootings, the attack on our Capitol on January 6^th and the attempts to unseat certain electoral officials in Georgia, Michigan, etc.

The Trump Republican Party is out to overturn the Biden government, and other Democrat-led governments at state and local levels.  They are all about process; policies are irrelevant.  They are all about overthrowing the existing government.  Very recently we heard from that ethically challenged congressman from Florida, Matt Gaetz, who made it entirely clear that the 2^nd amendment is there to make sure the people have the ability to overthrow their government if necessary.   Gaetz thus put his finger on the pulse of the context – it is all about the overthrow of not just the Biden administration, but of the very nature of democratic governing.

Meanwhile, Democrats are mired in ridiculous thoughts of bipartisanship, attempting to bring at least ten Republicans aboard their agenda train, to attempt to rid us of the Senate Rule about filibuster and cloture that requires 60 votes   The Republicans are secretly cheering their lack of action on the real issues of power and takeover. 

Republicans are winning that battle with their attacks on Democrats as socialists and commies, and by characterizing them as the source of electoral abuse and corruption while they go free of any such charges.  And that is all because the Democrats are reluctant to fight, to use government to stop the overtaking of government; to call the people and the situations exactly what they are, instead of what they wish them to be.  

We are, as a nation, in dire straits with anti-democratic behaviors and actions seizing control everywhere.  And, Democrats have yet to figure out what they are fighting, and how to stop it in its tracks.

Today, the Republicans in the Senate put an end to bipartisanship as a viable principle and strategy.  By a procedural vote which required 60 votes to pass, they killed the bill that would have led to the formation of a bi-partisan Commission to investigate and report on the underlying causes and factors that led to the Jan. 6^th attack on our Congress and the legislative symbol known as the Capitol.  Senator Schumer as Majority Leader seemed to understand the import of the blocking of this Commission.  He spoke clearly about the danger to our democracy and to the Senate’s Purpose by means of this negative vote.  

Well, let me be even clearer: we are all in danger of a fascist takeover of our democratic government and no one, including Biden and Harris, is leading a movement to stop that fascism from gaining control.  That vote today is one more attempt to overthrow this government, and we must put it in that context.  In fact, everything undertaken by the Democratic Party from here on must take into account the context of destruction and overthrow that exists at the very CORE of the Trump Republican Party.

Here are the steps that make up a PATTERN of authoritarian takeover of democratic or non-despotic governments.  It works in all areas of our world, even in the United States of America.  Compare them to what Trump told us in his announcement of his run for the Presidency and recall all he has done since to continue the big lies on which his ascendancy is based.

1)     Powerful and continuing nationalism. “America First”; make America Great Again; “stand up” to other countries; withdraw from Agreements and pacts that are ‘unfair’ to America

2)     Disdain for human rights.  eroding citizen trust and their confidence in freedom of press; denigrate people who disagree ; deport whole groups (DACA); restrict voting by certain groups and deny vote to others  

3)     Identifying scapegoats. ban immigration from Muslim countries; make Mexicans and other Latinos into criminals; question law and order violations by protesters especially in Black Lives Matter

4)     Military supremacy. ludicrous increases in spending on troops and weapons; making threats against other countries; wars continued in Iraq and Afghanistan

5)     Rampant Sexism. nine women have come forward to make charges against the president; the Access Hollywood tapes and signed Orders removing protections for women in relation to sexual harassment, access to healthcare coverage and to special preventative measures; restrictions on service in the military of persons who happen to be lesbian or transgender; assault upon abortion choice as a right;

6)     Control of mass media. exclude certain media representatives; limit press attendance at important events; trash particular media people; threaten to disapprove owner licenses; do not hold press conferences; use an alternative method such as Twitter for most communication; attempt to stop stories from being published or aired; use media to own advantage – plant stories; mislead and lie, lie, lie

7)     Obsession with national security.  and with crimes by immigrants once they arrive in this country, strangely obviated by his non-obsession with Russian interference in the 2016 election process; the building of a Wall on our Mexican border; his military build-up

8)     Religion and government intertwined. executive order opening religious communities to greater ability to be involved in political issues and to receive government grants; pushing private schools receiving public funds (many of them associated with a particular denomination or religion);

9)     Business interests protected.  the Business Tax lowered; there is always regulatory reduction and the removal of healthcare mandates

10)  Labor power suppressed. support of right-to-work states; attacks on bargaining rights; opposition to minimum wage increase; and laws that prevent unions from striking; appointment of Labor Department head who was anti-union

11)  Disdain for the arts. cuts in public radio; first of modern presidents to not attend Kennedy Center Honors presentations; no state dinners; presidential medal of honor for loyalists;

12)  Obsession with crime and punishment.  "Task Force on Crime Reduction and Public Safety" -- Signed: Feb. 9, 2017, highlighting drug trafficking, illegal immigration and violent crime.  Throughout his campaign, Trump promised voters a return to "law and order" in the United States and said minorities from inner cities are "living in hell" because of violent crime

13)  Rabid cronyism and corruption . Wall-Streeters and millionaires in his cabinet; his family ensconced in WH operation; corruption by department heads and other members of this administration

14)  Fraudulent Elections. from requiring photo IDs to claiming  rampant voter fraud, Trump makes the point himself that election system is broken, Trump himself has turned Trump Towers and Mar-A-Lago into money-making machines dependent on his celebrity

Although Trump himself may not have been capable of instituting a well-thought-out Plan to make us over into a Fascist country, he has acted upon his internalized values, beliefs and experiences that drive his actions, as they have always done. And, he has been guided by two white nationalists acting as special White House advisors:  Steve Bannon and Stephen Miller. Both have long-held fascist racist, nationalistic views.

So here is the raw deal:  while Democrats are involved in legislation about voting rights, infrastructure, COVID Relief and global climate change – all good and worthy goals -- the Republican Right is bent upon using false narratives and violent actions to overturn the Biden-Harris victory and to render it invalid making Trump their rightful President.  Until Democrats get their act together and focus on stopping this takeover, we are in danger of losing our democracy. 

Sorry, but that is the one concern/issue/policy/program that matters right now.  We need leaders who will keep our focus and theirs on that target.    

What needs to –and must—happen right now?  Democrats and progressive independents must get to the core of what is happening and fight back with unapologetic vigor and use of power.  They must:

1)     Use existing laws to sue, fine, remove, damage, and find legitimate ways to hold the insurrectionists accountable.  There should be legal actions brought against them everywhere.

2)     Begin painting all Trampers for what they are – fascists, Nazis, insurrectionists, racists, and liars before they stick every liberal with those titles.

3)     Someone else suggested that Dems make Marjorie Greene the prototype of every Republican instead of accepting her harassment of staffers and legislators

4)     Take action to point obstructionists out and call them out on every action 

5)     Use Executive Orders to hinder their operations

6)     Get to the essence of their support which is online contributions; disrupt that process in every way possible:  get all online social media vendors to prevent use of their platforms; use executive orders to threaten withdrawal or suspension of licenses

7)     Threaten to withhold federal funds of all kinds from states that suppress voting rights, allow third party contracts for fake ‘audits’, that violate the secrecy of voter ballots

8)     Order every department of federal government to produce ads, papers, flyers etc. that emphasize the threat of Fascism and the steps in  a formula that threaten democracy.  Get information to the public on a regular basis. Schumer should be upfront doing just that every day!

9)     Time to abandon bipartisanship and to show what Republicans have done to destroy that value and principle.  For example, use the vote against the Commission as the motivation for saying that bipartisanship is dead and its all the fault of the Republicans.  Biden shouldn’t just pull list of NO voting  Republicans out of his pocket – he needs to advertise those names over and over.

10)  Exclude Republicans from the White House – no access – and say bi-partisan issue  is dead because of Republican intransigence as are all negotiations on 1/6 Commission, voting rights, and any other legislation proposed by Dems.  That action must be used to get at issues that undermine Trump’s Far Right: no federal education and reform money to recalcitrant states.  We must take the time and unfortunate strategy to ‘upset the apple cart.’

11)  Appoint Special Committees in the House to undercut Republican efforts by investigating and holding hearings on 1/6, infrastructure, etc.

12)  Start right in the Congress:  limit Republican access to staff; to special benefits like healthcare and transportation; limit office space, use Ethics committees to bring charges; emphasize congressional vacations – cut them down in terms of fewer adjournments; go after member privilege and holds on appointments

13)  Go after Republican supporters by using infrastructure legislation as a carrot then bring out big stick of denial to their states

14)  Pass sections of infrastructure without Republican help then hold funds hostage or as quid pro  quo – i.e., you’ll get funds when state declares support for results of 2020 elections, for 1/6 commission; and rejects voter suppression measures

15)  Enlist large corporations to fight Fascism on same basis –help or  lose funds

16)  Get creative about opposing and undermining the Trump Far Right keeping in mind the awful truth dispensed in a decision by that federal Judge Jackson  in D.C. – the threats of insurrection, violence and obstruction are not over, and probable defendants cannot be allowed to go free because they are a threat to society!  It is true of defendants and it is also true about Trump’s politicians; THEY ARE INCAPABLE OF FAIR GOVERNANCE and must be held accountable for that.

17)  Finally, in this context of destruction of our form of government by takeover of its functions, WE MUST COME TO THE CLEAR UNDERSTANDING THAT BI-PARTISANSHIP HAS NOW REACHED THE UNFORTUNTE END OF BEING A STRATEGY BY WHICH THE REPUBLICAN FASCISTS ARE ABETTED IN THEIR OVERTHROW BY ANY FORM OF COOPERATION WITH THEM!  In other words, bipartisanship has become a tool of the Trump GOP and Democrat cooperation on that basis is equivalent to joining their destructive movement away from democracy and into the abyss of despotism.

Sorry – but we have got to realize we are at war and must attack the enemy immediately and continuously. And we must stay focused on this war not on mere policy but on strategies that will win the war .  We have no choice left – it’s either democracy or fascism.  We are at war, and the Nazis are winning.  We wouldn’t allow that in the 1940s – why allow it now?

BUT here is the difficulty that stares us in our faces: we cannot war against these people because that makes us the fomenters of anti-democracy.  We must find ways to fight against the biases, the myths, and the lies on which those fascists base their violence and their destructiveness.  I have a suggestion:

Let us start by realizing the 1/6 bi-partisan Commission is dead.  Let the House Democrats instead establish Select Committees for finding the truth and facts behind not only 1/6 but those behind at least the following:

·        Russian Cyber and other attacks

·        The effects of lies and conspiracies on our democratic functioning

·        The state of violence as an accepted means of political functioning

·        Were Black Lives Matter protestors treated differently than Far Right insurrectionists?

·        What is behind the child abuse of separating children from parents at the southern border?

·        What is needed to stop the overthrow of the Biden government and what legislation is required to prevent a fascist takeover of our government?

·        What substantive changes are critically needed in government to return power to the People?

Let us be clear that the process of input undertaken by  these Committees must include input from ordinary citizens.