Issue 81

Facing Tyranny in Real Time

It’s the 10th round and we’ve been in the ring absorbing punches and trying to stay on our feet as best we can. We’ve got to outlast our opponents and protect against a knockout. We know they fight dirty and could see this one coming for a while but nevertheless it’s hard to describe the shock and pain when the blow finally arrives.

Coming face to face with tyranny in real time is scary as hell. It feels like there’s nowhere to turn, no pathway to a better future.  The glimmering façade of a government that promises to reflect the will of the people and is supposed to have built-in checks and balances is shattered.  

We took for granted that the Judicial branch was an objective arbiter and was careful not to overstep its authority by “taking sides” to further political objectives. While our democracy is far from perfect, it has slowly evolved over time in a progressive arc, gradually righting wrongs and bestowing rightful freedoms where they had previously been denied.  Our federalist system encourages self-governance at the state and local level, as long as those entities don’t interfere with basic constitutional rights all Americans (should) enjoy. 

How we got here should be no surprise to anyone.  The GOP set in motion a coordinated attack on our democracy. Time and time again they stood behind a nihilistic chronic liar, whose disregard for objective reality, not to mention the law itself, has brought us dangerously close to autocratic rule. Through Mitch McConnel’s unfair manipulation that denied Obama his rightful SCOTUS nominee, RGB’s shortsighted decision not to step down, and some sheer luck, the GOP under Dumpster were able to stack the court with their henchmen and woman. No matter that they swore under oath that they would respect precedent and not overturn Roe. They are Repugs and enacting their conservative agenda at any cost, is how they roll. 

Here we are in 2022, reeling from the unprecedented repeal of a 50 year-old SCOTUS ruling that, for the first time in our nation’s history resulted in narrowing, not expanding freedom. Judge Thomas has come right out and said this is merely the first step. He and other conservative judges have their sights aimed  at removing hard fought rights for the LGBTQ community and access to birth control. What’s next? Inter-racial marriage (which only became legal in 1967) and which ironically would directly impact Thomas who is black and married to a white woman? Absurdity abounds. 

So what can we do now?  Many are depressed and there’s lots of talk about escaping the US for greener pastures. Really?  Does anyone actually believe abandoning the US to right wing fascists is the smart/right strategy?  

While there is no immediate remedy, we must first provide aid and comfort to those women who can’t afford to travel outside their state to seek an abortion.  States where abortion is still legal must ensure those rights are strengthened and should expand services offering assistance to women outside their states who need access to necessary medical care at an affordable cost. 

Next, we must organize to stand up and fight back. The GOP has worked to solidify majorities in many states and those are the ones where abortion will be criminalized.  It’s not realistic to think the Dems can win statehouses in many of these states but there are a handful (e.g., WI, PA, GA) where those victories are within reach. Dems need to double down to win these state elections by making abortion Issue #1 on the ballot – the overwhelming majority of Americans even in some of the GOP led states favor access to abortion so let’s make GOP politicians accountable. There must be direct political consequences.

At the federal level we need to stop thinking it’s a given that the GOP will retake Congress. Only if we let them!  Let’s start strategizing on how we can hold the House and win a majority in the Senate.

These are big goals but we need to vote (and get our friends, family, and neighbors to vote) like our lives depend on it. Because they do. Plain and simple.

With enough congressional support, new laws can be passed to codify abortion rights nation-wide. This will require ditching the antiquated parlor game of filibustering which of course, introduces risk…but will break the endless gridlock in Congress and allow the majority party to make substantive change. It would be refreshing to see democracy in action, putting more responsibility on citizens to track government actions and respond at the ballot box when they strayed from the will of the majority of the people.

Finally, the Supreme Court has demonstrated it is out of touch with the American people and its action reflected the will of the far right conservative minority. In short, SCOTUS is broken and needs an overhaul. With control of Congress, the Democrats should examine whether Thomas has committed impeachable offenses and should expand the Court with additional seats to rebalance its neutrality. 

So there’s lots to be done. Even though we’re hurting, we can’t lose hope or stop fighting. Justice must prevail.