General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIf we don't fight, we lose
The rightwing authoritarians want us to despair, give up hope, and disengage.
That is the surest way to make our worst fears a reality.
In my 62nd year on this planet, I am far from throwing in the towel.
We have to keep fighting, and we have to remember the promise of youth -- not just our own from years past, but young people today who will pick up the banner of progress and make it their own.
Young people have often had have a poor track record of coming to the polls to vote. They -- and other demographics which will NOT vote for Trump but might not vote at all -- are the key to electoral victory. We have to inspire and motivate them.
The Democratic Party leadership and candidates have to show spirit and spine and energy in leading the charge against the fascist pig in the White House and the creeping authoritarianism which threatens our republic.
Timidity will not inspire and motivate souls to the polls. Taking counsel of our fears, whether it be Pelosi or the community here at DU, can easily translate into submission.
We have to fight.
Not out of blind rage but with intelligence and courage, with the confidence of knowing that facts and truth and justice and the imperative to save the future are all on our side.
Political calculation only goes so far, forgetting how the spirit of The People can be roused beyond the indicators of conventional polling.
Our fears are legitimate, given where we find ourselves now. The political calculation is uncertain; the outcome is fraught with dread. We understand that something above and beyond is needed to save America from its own shortcomings and worst impulses.
We have to fight, and by fighting the good fight convince all those non-voters that this is very much their fight as well.
Donald Trump is a criminal who richly deserves to be impeached. If the people we need to energize see the Democratic Party exonerate him by default, taking counsel of fear through cynical political calculation, they will not see us as the answer.
By all means we also have to articulate the critically important issues with practical policy solutions which will improve the lives of real people, and our candidates will continue to do that as our elected representatives in the House build the case against the POtuS who must be deposed.
Democrats can walk and chew gum at the same time, and by going on the offensive on both fronts we will claim more of the air time that has been dominated by the orange abomination.
We have to go on the offensive. If we don't fight, we lose.
lunatica
(53,410 posts)Skittles
(153,193 posts)I just don't think today's youth can afford to follow suit
Martin Eden
(12,875 posts)You think they WILL turn out and vote?
Skittles
(153,193 posts)I do think our young folk are much smarter and savvier than they've been given credit for.....but alas, I don't know many. The ones I work with seem very MEH about politics.
Turin_C3PO
(14,067 posts)Hopefully Democrats can motivate them to come out in 2020. This isnt the primaries forum but its my number one worry about Biden, that he may not motivate youth. ORourke, Buttigieg, or Warren might do better on that front.
Skittles
(153,193 posts)I really think they can help pick the better candidate
SKKY
(11,823 posts)...77,740. Thats the number of votes that separated a Clinton Administration from the dumpster fire we have now.
JoeOtterbein
(7,702 posts)...by fighting like hell!
KY_EnviroGuy
(14,494 posts)perhaps throwing some support to our state and local Young Democrats organizations would be a very productive investment. We need lots of fireball young people with AOC-type enthusiasm and presentation to inspire our youth in every state.
KY......
2naSalit
(86,798 posts)Anybody
(2 posts)The patriots at Bunker Hill stood against the Redcoats with no guarantee of success,
The torpedo plane crews at Midway did not know how the war would end.
Martin Luther King stood and spoke, knowing that he might not live to see The Dream fulfilled.
The guys in the Alamo knew they had no chance at all.
If we impeach, we might lose a vote in the Senate.
If we don't impeach when the evidence is so strong and the need so great, we devalue the Constitution that many Americans gave their lives to protect.
The house can compel President to stand accountable to the Senate, and the Senate will be forced to choose between Trump and the Constitution they swore to protect. We have a very strong case. Let's have the guts to make it.
We have to stand up for our Constitution and the principles which make America truly great.
If we fail to do that, history will judge us almost as harshly as Trump.
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)And what if the "failure" that comes from impeachment at the wrong time is way worse than "one Senate seat?"
What is your source of information on this?
oldlibdem
(330 posts)exactly!
proud patriot
(100,715 posts)Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)that isn't outweighed by SO many more not to start! And just saying we believe in Pelosi won't cut it. It's really so unbelievably the right thing to do.
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)And someone describing something as "unbelievably right" doesn't make it as or more credible than the judgement of someone who actually has decades experience and inside information.
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)The average length of service for US Representatives at the beginning of the 115th Congress was 9.4 years (per Senate.gov)
So 76 US Representatives who say start Impeachment process x 9.4 = 741.4
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)By your calculus, seven freshmen completing their first year of college would have the combined scholastic experience of someone with a graduate degree.
They could not, however, collectively accomplish a job that requires graduate degree expertise.
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)ehrnst
(32,640 posts)When you need to keep moving the goalposts to defend your position, maybe it's time you re-examined your position. The defense of your position seems to change to fit whatever confirms your bias against new data, or any argument that logically refutes your previous statements.
By your "new" standards, the less experience, the better.... That's moving the goalpost to the opposite end of the field.
Kind of Blue
(8,709 posts)WiffenPoof
(2,404 posts)... Too much time has already passed. Each day that goes by without any action further bogs down the eventual effort. The more time that passes the more the Right can say that we are on a witch hunt.
Martin Eden
(12,875 posts)If we don't even try to hold Trump accountable, they will say the Mueller report had nothing and Trump has been exonerated.
If we let their lies dictate our actions, we lose.
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)rather than make it stronger?
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)turn works to diminish our look of authority. (As opposed to acting with total conviction at the outset). In addition, the farther from the main source of information we received, Mueller, the farther we are from a non-partisan action. Add to that the ever closer election and each day that passes, you appear to be acting more and more partisan.
I am still hoping against hope that something happens but more and more pessimistic it will. It may be exactly what they wanted..for us to forget about it. And we will...but at what price?
ProfessorPlum
(11,277 posts)Bernie Sanders, Allen Greyson, AOC, Al Franken, Paul Wellstone, Elizabeth Warren
any sign of fight and people get behind leaders.
FDR actually fought and was elected four times.
I just wish we had as much fight in our leadership as you have.
Laelth
(32,017 posts)-Laelth
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)Martin Eden
(12,875 posts)And that might be what Pelosi has in mind.
Autumn
(45,120 posts)Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)hoping should read this. Amazing compilation catalog of trump offenses.
https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/atrocities-1-to-112
Just one of HUNDREDS of examples:
97. February 16, 2017 Using the Congressional Review Act, Donald Trump repealed the so-called stream protection rule, which kept coal companies from dumping mining debris into rivers. Barack Obama first implemented the regulation after a growing body of evidence suggested the debris could contain toxic materials, such as selenium, mercury, and arsenic. Trumps repeal has been on the wish list for the coal industry since the rules publication in December of 2016.
FM123
(10,054 posts)saidsimplesimon
(7,888 posts)"fatigue"? I can only speak for myself. Never surrender, resist, easy for me to say, I took a day off sun. and watched only cable nature shows or a new series. No brain power required
The repug goal is to throw crap to the wind and hope to tie up Democrats' time and election cash. I'm sure Democrats know how to cut to the quick without needing barrow loads of cash. Speaker Pelosi does and excellent job of jabbing at the monster with the fragile ego.
True Blue American
(17,988 posts)I despise that blanking MSNBC! They are still on Biden!
Just flipped it on, first thing I saw. My language is getting awful.
Nevermypresident
(781 posts)Gringoguapisimo
(13 posts)Isnt it ageist to focus on youth as its own virtue? Experience counts at least as much as Pete or Yangs fresh face.
Martin Eden
(12,875 posts)I cited young people because they often don't have a high turnout, which makes them a potential source of votes that can swing the election.
We have to take every opportunity we can get to turn non-political youth into Democrats.
Efilroft Sul
(3,582 posts)More Millennials Voted Than Boomers in Midterms.
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/gen-voters-outnumbered-boomers-2018-midterms/story?id=63384352
Martin Eden
(12,875 posts)2018 was a big development for the youth vote compared to earlier elections. Without them, the Blue Wave might have failed to retake the House.
All the more reason not to drop the ball by failing to carry on the fight. Now is the time to maintain and increase that momentum.
Efilroft Sul
(3,582 posts)JudyM
(29,279 posts)My opinion.
DinahMoeHum
(21,809 posts) Resist: Protest on the streets, call senators and representatives, etc.
Rebel: Run for office, GOTV (Get Out The Vote), support a progressive.
Revolt: Change the laws, change the culture, build your communities.
Rely: Trust that millions of others are also fighting the good fight.
Rest: Take care of yourself, we are in this for the long term.
"If you're going through hell, keep going" - Winston Churchill