QOTD -- Time For That Fight

 

"... People do what others do. Each law firm that bent the knee to Trump made it harder for the next firm to say no. The universities that fell to Trump created the same problem — that’s why it mattered when Harvard fought back. Everyone in society — every person, every institution — is a node of coordination. And if you look at Democrats in Congress right now, the signal they’re sending is not to take any risks. Everything is normal. Just wait for the election. I think sending that signal is a mistake.

"The 2026 midterms are 14 months away. The machinery of the state is being organized to entrench Republican power through redistricting, to control information, to punish and harass enemies, to create a masked paramilitary force roaming the streets and carrying out Trump’s commands. Do you just let that roll forward and hope for the best?

"I’m not going to tell you I am absolutely sure Democrats should shut the government down. I’m not. At the same time, joining Republicans to fund this government is worse than failing at opposition. It’s complicity.

"I’m not a political strategist. I hope somebody has better ideas than I do. But it’s been about six months since Schumer decided that it wasn’t the time for a fight, that neither he nor the country was ready. Democratic leaders have had six months to come up with a plan. If there’s a better plan than a shutdown, great. But if the plan is still nothing, then Democrats need new leaders." -- Ezra Klein, concluding his NYT op ed, "Stop Acting Like This Is Normal," focused on the upcoming votes on the federal budget and government shutdown and what Democrats should be doing to try to foil the many dictatorial moves made by the Malignant Fascist.  As Klein puts it,

"We are no longer in the muzzle velocity stage of this presidency. We are in the authoritarian consolidation stage of this presidency."

When Klein is ready to man the barricades, that should tell you something. Please read the full op ed (free link).  If you have a Democratic Senator, make sure they know you want them to fight, not back down!