The Pathway to Reconciliation?

The pathway to reconciliation is cast in a sense of purpose. Molded and shaped in immovable values and guiding principles. Maintained by pioneers who possess a bias for action and disciplined approach that maintains focus on the desired outcome.

The Democrats can no longer have it both ways. They cannot be both the party of progressives and the party of the political status quo in which progress is an impossibility. The Democratic Party must define their core values and proactively lead from them. The constituents of Manchin and Biden are not one in the same. Following midterms they must pick a side and support and fundraise for only those candidates that align to those values.

To be clear, this is not handing the election to the Republicans. Whichever identity Democrats choose the first act should be to recognize the legitimacy of the other party. In doing so you will force the current day GOP to the extreme right of the political spectrum. Moderates across the political spectrum will align to the party of Manchin and Cheney. Independents and progressives will align to the party of Sanders and AOC. Let each side nominate a presidential candidate.

Hold a joint conference in which both sides agree to recognize and stand by the results of the election. Continually celebrate the worth and value of the opposition while defending your own approach and solutions. Unite to ostracize the party of Trump and all who continue to align with it. Amplify the anti-American agenda and ungodly mission they wish to promote.

The current party establishment of Biden, Pelosi and Schumer must declare their neutrality. Pledge to stand down from future leadership positions and instead present the the win/win proposition being presented to Americans. Utilize their bully pulpits to unabashedly present a path to victory in the battle to restore the soul of our nation’s democracy. Two qualified successors for Americans to chose from. Two alternatives both committed to the mission and principles upon which our nation was founded.

Former Presidents Obama, Bush, Clinton and Carter need lend their voices as well. Further highlight the bipartisan choice once again being presented to the American voter. A realistic solution to the quandary that 70% of our citizenry currently seeks an answer. How do we once again provide both conservative and progressive voters a candidate they can proudly vote for, instead of one they simply vote against.

Time For a “Plan B”

It’s time to get our heads out of our asses to realize this isn’t a traditional political fight. What Americans want, what we need is a bonafide opposition. One whose success is not predicated on the results of elections, but in the restoration of our individual freedoms. One who fights not because of what may be won, but because of what will be lost; our values, our soul, our democracy.

The sane and rational people of this country must unite in protest not just in solidarity for women’s rights, or black lives, or LBGTQ+ equality, or in response to the next school shooting. “We, the people,” the majority of us, have evolved beyond the prejudices of our ancestors. Believe in the vision of America espoused in our Declaration. One which requires the equal application of the rights and laws of this country regardless of race, religion, gender, or national origin. One rooted in the principle of separation of church and state and a representative government formed of the people. A common enemy exerts disproportionate control to attack these very principles.Isn’t it time Americans unite not in defense of a cause, but in defense of our democratic values and in opposition to the authoritarian rule that Republicans seek?

It’s time to be proactive in this fight. To use the tools and weapons we have at our disposable right now. To sit back and wait for a far off election places thousands of lives at a risk. It is an abdication of present day Democratic leadership and duty. To continue to play the music and ignore the problem as the deck chairs sway will not get us out of this predicament. It will only exacerbate it.

Every single elected Democrat and Independent representative needs to lead this country in mass protest. Organize a week of coordinated national protests and demonstrations against the assault on the rule of law and individual liberties orchestrated by the GOP. To create a safety net for ordinary citizens to call out sick and engage in sustained civic activism will require a top down effort by Democratic leadership. The majority can no longer afford to remain silent and sit back. The “good people” of this country must make our numbers known and to do so will require bold action by those leaders who profess to love the ideals upon which this nation was founded.

Let Biden empty his re-election coffers and have his PACs buy screen time to simulcast targeted messaging to encourage participation. Use the most incendiary language possible to make the stakes plain to all. Paint, not just Trump, but the entire Republican Party as traitors and unAmerican. Weaponize fear and use the prospect of a GOP mid-term takeover as akin to the end of the American dream. Paint a picture of what life for young children will look like in a country without hope or opportunity. Pull no punches. Be specific and make clear that GOP surrogates serve God before country. That they seek to erect a caste system within our shores. Repeat, rinse and do it over and over again. Talk of nothing else but the abdication of the GOP’s constitutional oath to protect the health and safety of all constituents.

Biden himself must also engage in more direct communication with the American people. Our country is in crisis. What better time to bring back a Friday night fireside chat. Take over networks and streaming services to appeal direct to the American people. Use the time not only to present his own agenda, but to make clear that all Americans are encouraged to take part in efforts to stand up to the authoritarian threat. Make no attempt to court the Trump wing of the GOP. Instead place the protests into appropriate context. Make clear that it is an opportunity for all, regardless of traditional political label, to distance themselves from the modern day Republican brand, the GOP of Trump, the Guardians Of Putin.

Let Nancy use the power of the purse to withhold critical funds precious to GOP causes. In the same way McConnell led GOP regularly held government hostage and treated people as pawns, so too must the Democrats. Cut off those programs and causes that most benefit and are important to red states. Strip the funding, grab the nearest microphone and make clear that without concessions we all suffer. Put pressure on this caravan of criminal enablers to compromise with the majority for a change.

Time is running out on the American dream. To prevent a minority takeover of our Representative Republic requires bold and immediate action. We must demonstrate our collective numbers and strength. We must identify the GOP for the threat to our collective freedom they truly are. Set aside tribal causes and unify in protest against the common enemy.

The GOP Coup

Pay attention to recent events in Florida. This is what autocracy looks like. The end result of what happens when checks and balances are removed, power is consolidated and self-interests are given priority over the common good. There is nothing representative about Ron DeSantis or his lackey state delegates. In a Democratic Republic representatives must advocate and serve in the best interests of all their constituents, not choose to only advance the self serving ones.

What more Democrats need to see? THE OPPOSITION PARTY DOES NOT BELIEVE IN DEMOCRACY! Republicans use their power to punish dissent, to ostracize free thought and to chill opposition. Their primary objective to preserve power, regardless of popular opinion or support. DeSantis is a prime example. He does not pretend to advocate for all Floridians. He serves only to advance the interests of his tribe above all others. There is no compromise or alternative agendas to consider. It will be either his way or the highway. This is very antithesis of a representative democracy.

Democrats must not continue to rely on traditional checks and balances to contain an unprecedented threat to our Republic. When the sitting “head of state” actively seeks to upend and overthrow the very political system they take an oath to protect, it should raise some alarms. It is not enough for Democrats to respond to clear instances of abuse of power with verbal condemnations and warnings that the GOP must be made to pay in the next election cycle.

DeSantis and many other GOP Governors are passing legislation to ensure control of the very thing Democrats place all their hope in, the next election results. Across the country legislation is being passed in the 30 states with Republican controlled legislatures to restrict voting rights and implement gerrymandered fail safes that enable handpicked sycophants to maintain control of state legislatures. As the case in Florida, 23 of those 30 states are also controlled by a GOP Governor. In these states attempts to preserve the status quo extend far beyond these traditional tools of suppression. In many places new legislation authorizes handpicked State Delegates to overturn free and fair election results, even absent evidence of widespread fraud or malfeasance.

To safeguard their hold on power and prevent the possibility of a Democratic takover, DeSantis and other GOP Governors, are proactively taking steps to rig the election and undermine majority will. If we are truly in a fight to save the “soul of our nation” Democrat leaders must act like it. They must lead with the same urgency as their GOP counterparts and coalesce around policy that supports that objective as their primary one. Take proactive measures and be as aggressive in efforts to safeguard our elections, to expand representation, as the opposition is in ways to restrict it.

It is time Democrats ostracize the GOP and no longer treat them as a legitimate political party. Time to protect the will of the people. Paint and treat the enemy of our democracy as just that. Recognize them for the threat they are. The Guardians Of Putin (GOP), agents of the rich, righteous and putinful. These enemies did not infiltrate through a Trojan Horse. They hijacked control from within. Used the strength of diversity to divide and disable us.

This is no longer about tradition or precedent. The most popular former President and the current Commander in Chief must use their powers to shape the perception of the majority. Take bold measure to communicate what is at stake. Advance informed consent and clearly explain why, in accordance with the rule of law and our constitution, certain bold actions must occur to protect the dreams of our founding fathers.