One thing the Democrats could do now is make statements of future intent that have present-day implications. For instance, they can respond to Trump's nonenforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act by promising future enforcement. This would be a power move against extractive industries, which specialize in suborning governments.
A mere "shadow cabinet" could not issue such credible threats. The DNC could provide such credibility, through its power to limit access to Presidential nominations. Any candidate for the nomination would have to sign the pledge. I don't think you have to worry about Democrats abusing such a mechanism. They're far more likely to do too little than too much.
I disagree. If we knew who the shadow cabinet were we could hold them to OUR standards. Any shadow cabinet can promise to enforce future acts just as well. The DNC has a terrible reputation and I dont think many would listen to them. Where are they now? They should be yelling and shouting and pushing their members to do the same
Agree wholeheartedly -- the DNC, DCCC, DSCC are out of touch, pathetic, do-nothing embarrassments. Let's have Bernie Sanders and AOC (and a few others) take over.
Radley, you should send this to every Democrat in DC and ask each of them why they aren't doing these simple things. I'm extremely ashamed of the Democrats right now . To quote Herman Wouk, " When in danger or in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout". Unfortunately the Dems are only running in circles when they should be screaming and shouting.
Trump’s cabinet has never been about competence or reform. This cabinet is simply a bunch of ‘consiglieres’ dispatched to impose The Boss’s will on the business of governing. They are no more than thugs. They are enforcers. They are there to crack some heads and eradicate anyone or anything that smacks of democratic values and governance. Trump and his Muskreants have basically formed a criminal syndicate that is moving-in on this wide-open territory called The Americas,’ and they intend to make it their domain.
Would apply the town hall route to blue states that have red areas? My House Rep in DC is a democrat but my local lege reps are all republicans. Should we push for them to have town halls as well ?
Thank you, Radley! All three recommendations are strong and doable. The names you suggest of qualified leaders to implement them is equally good and specific. I particularly like the idea of the "Shadow Cabinet". If Chris hayes and other journalists invite these "shadow secretaries" who can explain the context and negative impact of what Trump is doing to the public in plain language, the impact can be huge! Jamie Raskin for Dept of Justice is a great example. How can we amplify this message to the Democrats AND to the Independents?? We Independents are a powerful political force. Sanders of Vt and King of Maine would be good to enlist.
I am from the UK. I have been here for 32 years but it has always seemed odd that the party not in power doesnt have a shadow cabinet to combat the other party. I know we cant do a weekly Presidents Question Time ( see UK PMQ's) but we need something
The Democrats are in competition with the Republicans, but they have only occasionally been in opposition. Historically, they offered a different approach to managing the working classes and middle classes, primarily for the benefit of the wealthy.
Negotiations with Republicans and "bipartisanship" were on this basis. But the current Republican Party--fascist and counterrevolutionary--has no interest in managing working people at all. It's backers have grown wealthy enough to complete their succession from the rest of American society. The workers can take it (on the chin) or leave it (i.e. starve).
The Democrats need to offer a revolutionary (not reformist) alternative; in other words, they must learn the radically different rules of a radically different political game. In practical terms this means that they must become the exact opposite of the Democratic Party!
Which means, except for the few mentioned by Radley in this article, we need an entirely different Democratic Party. Since the leeches currently in office won’t admit their complicity or cowardice and resign we are stuck until they can be kicked out or shamed until they leave.
sadly, our political system does not allow for things like no confidence votes. The upper echelons of the D party have far too much control and power to willingly relinquish it
Thank you, ugh I have been back and forth between ignoring these people and watching over my shoulder for them ever since seeing Steven Dietz's "God's Country" in Ashland OR in 1990.
So is there any way to actually get this in front of Democrats? Their social media is hopeless - zero engagement; their emails are offensive - shilling for $ for midterms that at this rate will never come.
Is there something, anything, we as subscribers can do to MAKE THE DEMOCRATS TAKE THIS ADVICE?
One thing the Democrats could do now is make statements of future intent that have present-day implications. For instance, they can respond to Trump's nonenforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act by promising future enforcement. This would be a power move against extractive industries, which specialize in suborning governments.
A mere "shadow cabinet" could not issue such credible threats. The DNC could provide such credibility, through its power to limit access to Presidential nominations. Any candidate for the nomination would have to sign the pledge. I don't think you have to worry about Democrats abusing such a mechanism. They're far more likely to do too little than too much.
I disagree. If we knew who the shadow cabinet were we could hold them to OUR standards. Any shadow cabinet can promise to enforce future acts just as well. The DNC has a terrible reputation and I dont think many would listen to them. Where are they now? They should be yelling and shouting and pushing their members to do the same
Agree wholeheartedly -- the DNC, DCCC, DSCC are out of touch, pathetic, do-nothing embarrassments. Let's have Bernie Sanders and AOC (and a few others) take over.
Radley, you should send this to every Democrat in DC and ask each of them why they aren't doing these simple things. I'm extremely ashamed of the Democrats right now . To quote Herman Wouk, " When in danger or in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout". Unfortunately the Dems are only running in circles when they should be screaming and shouting.
Trump’s cabinet has never been about competence or reform. This cabinet is simply a bunch of ‘consiglieres’ dispatched to impose The Boss’s will on the business of governing. They are no more than thugs. They are enforcers. They are there to crack some heads and eradicate anyone or anything that smacks of democratic values and governance. Trump and his Muskreants have basically formed a criminal syndicate that is moving-in on this wide-open territory called The Americas,’ and they intend to make it their domain.
Great post. Is anybody listening? I’m going to increase my subscription level despite being a now unemployed USAID contractor.
Would apply the town hall route to blue states that have red areas? My House Rep in DC is a democrat but my local lege reps are all republicans. Should we push for them to have town halls as well ?
Thank you, Radley! All three recommendations are strong and doable. The names you suggest of qualified leaders to implement them is equally good and specific. I particularly like the idea of the "Shadow Cabinet". If Chris hayes and other journalists invite these "shadow secretaries" who can explain the context and negative impact of what Trump is doing to the public in plain language, the impact can be huge! Jamie Raskin for Dept of Justice is a great example. How can we amplify this message to the Democrats AND to the Independents?? We Independents are a powerful political force. Sanders of Vt and King of Maine would be good to enlist.
I am from the UK. I have been here for 32 years but it has always seemed odd that the party not in power doesnt have a shadow cabinet to combat the other party. I know we cant do a weekly Presidents Question Time ( see UK PMQ's) but we need something
The Democrats are in competition with the Republicans, but they have only occasionally been in opposition. Historically, they offered a different approach to managing the working classes and middle classes, primarily for the benefit of the wealthy.
Negotiations with Republicans and "bipartisanship" were on this basis. But the current Republican Party--fascist and counterrevolutionary--has no interest in managing working people at all. It's backers have grown wealthy enough to complete their succession from the rest of American society. The workers can take it (on the chin) or leave it (i.e. starve).
The Democrats need to offer a revolutionary (not reformist) alternative; in other words, they must learn the radically different rules of a radically different political game. In practical terms this means that they must become the exact opposite of the Democratic Party!
Which means, except for the few mentioned by Radley in this article, we need an entirely different Democratic Party. Since the leeches currently in office won’t admit their complicity or cowardice and resign we are stuck until they can be kicked out or shamed until they leave.
sadly, our political system does not allow for things like no confidence votes. The upper echelons of the D party have far too much control and power to willingly relinquish it
"88" all by itself has meant "H.H." since at least as far back as '80s racist skinhead crap. What's the "14" part about?
The 14 refers to the "14 Words" slogan: "We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children."
https://www.adl.org/resources/hate-symbol/1488
So twisted and gross. Thanks for the reminder though
The 14 words.
https://www.adl.org/resources/hate-symbol/14-words
Thank you, ugh I have been back and forth between ignoring these people and watching over my shoulder for them ever since seeing Steven Dietz's "God's Country" in Ashland OR in 1990.
Definitely don't ignore them. They're a cancer that is spreading.
So is there any way to actually get this in front of Democrats? Their social media is hopeless - zero engagement; their emails are offensive - shilling for $ for midterms that at this rate will never come.
Is there something, anything, we as subscribers can do to MAKE THE DEMOCRATS TAKE THIS ADVICE?