The main purpose of these blogs has been to promote the idea that we should all resist the slide towards fascism in the US through small and large actions in an ongoing manner. The posts have mostly provided links to organizations that are working diligently in that direction and that would benefit from your support. They have also identified examples of how to express one’s disagreement through communication, mobilization, demonstrations, and boycotts. The principal actions have been to communicate with our “leaders” through petitions, telephone calls, emails or in townhall meetings. They have also called for demonstrations and boycotts.
In terms of this approach, we are reaching an important point that many who have opposed fascism in other countries have also faced: how forcefully do you resist? There appears to be two camps.
The first, the “moderates”, claim we must wait for the administration to make some fatal flaws and then resist. James Carville made this argument, provocatively calling it the “roll over and play dead” strategy. Essentially, he claims that mobilizing a fervent resistance now will only turn off those who may be ready to mobilize when the right issue comes around. “Moderates” maintain that Democrats lost because they went to far with the culture wars: MeToo, Black Lives Matter, wokeism, LGBTQ+, Palestine, immigration, etc. and didn’t take into consideration the concerns of the average working person (i.e., man). We forgot what Clinton said: it’s the economy, stupid. The Economist published a poll indicating that most Democrats wanted the party to be more “moderate”, rather than more “liberal”. Generally, the position is that our attention should be on the next elections – not protesting every single egregious act.
The second, the “progressives”, warn that without forceful resistance by leaders and citizens now, the administration will successfully and quickly put in place the key pillars of a fascist regime. They point to the very long list of actions that have already been taken during the first 60 days in power (I want to thank my dear friend Richard Sack for having put together this list). Exasperated with the leadership of the Democratic party, the term “capitulation” is readily used to label Charles Schumer’s agreement on the budget continuing resolution, Columbia’s decision to put the Middle East studies program into “receivership”, and the law firm of Paul Weiss folding to the whims of the administration. The progressives commit to developing a mass movement of dissidence that we need to build now. How to build it? There is much debate, but the urgency is palpable.
I mostly sit with the second group, although I certainly do not want to see a screaming match between the two. I believe that more is better and that now is the time. I come to this conclusion through my reading of the history of fascism and autocracy, as well as scanning more progressive critics. I recently listened to Larry Diamond, a prominent political scientist who was recently interviewed by John Avlon on the Bulwark, and who makes several convincing arguments (much recommended). He asserted that those who successfully pushed back on “autocratic projects” mobilized early, were coordinated and put continuous pressure on the autocratic regimes. Groups need to stand collectively – he uses the example of universities that should coordinate their efforts to defend the right of free speech on campus and academic freedom. He says that we shouldn’t be “obeying in advance” because it will only encourage the autocrats. He advocates that pressure needs to be continuously brought to bear on Congress (even if they now seem to have their tail between their legs), particularly Republicans.
And then there are the courts! Many of us say with some relief. More than 100 cases have been filed and many temporary restraining orders and strong condemnations from lower courts have been issued. However, most cases have not made it to the Supreme Court yet and so we don’t know if SCOTUS will side with the administration or not. Also – and this the elephant in the room – will the administration defy them (if they indeed do not side with it)? V.D. Vance says he welcomes a constitutional crisis defined as the administration just ignoring the court decisions. He is right that it will be the key test for the autocratic project. Will we descend into the streets at that point? I don’t think that the moderates would oppose. Or will it be too late?
I don’t think that moderates want everyone to stop calling congressional offices or boycotting Amazon or filing court cases. And many are probably as fed up with the Democratic Party as the progressives. Nor do I think that most progressives want to start throwing Molotov cocktails. Although I have strong opinions on most culture war issues (well left of center), I think that we need to learn to talk to those who wear MAGA hats (at least those who do so sheepishly). Ben Rhodes walks a middle line where we focus on issues and act more locally. Others have soundly criticized the progressives for being too focused on rallies and not enough on strategy. Others claim that it is because Democrats don’t know how to fix things and need a new “can do” approach to gain back legitimacy.
So, back to the purpose of these blogs. I don’t want to play dead. I think we need to keep the pressure on the best we can. I plan to re-publish all the actions that I had proposed in previous blogs with a bit of an evaluation. So, what can we do now? There is something that is coming up soon: I would like to encourage you to attend the day of action on April 5 that is being organized by Indivisible and other organizations. I think that the major event will be in DC, but there are calls for action in just about every city and town in America. Nothing organized yet in Marseille, though – so I will be cheering from the sidelines.
True-ish Stories 