- cross-posted to:
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- cross-posted to:
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
Summary
As Trump reshapes the federal government, critics accuse Democrats of weak opposition, likening them to France’s Vichy regime, which collaborated with Nazi Germany.
The term “Vichy Democrats” has gained traction, expressing frustration with perceived capitulation.
Historians caution against direct comparisons but note parallels between Vichy’s failed appeasement and Trump-era political shifts.
Others argue that America’s own history—Jim Crow and past authoritarian tendencies—is a more relevant analogy.
Some fear Trump’s consolidation of power could mirror past authoritarian takeovers.
It’s important to note the political realities, though. Elections matter, and voters put Republicans in charge of both the Presidency and Congress. And the House in particular is driven by majority rule, so there is very little to do there but cast votes against dumb shit which will pass anyway. The minority in the Senate has a little more sway, but not really all that much. Expecting the Congress to be meaningful opposition is unrealistic right now.
To see the resistance in action, we need to look to other parts of government. States challenged the Federal funding freeze immediately, and the Courts acted swiftly, and forced the administration to at least partially back down. They need to keep the pressure on. States have some real power in holding an imperial Presidency in check, and they need to use it. Courts have sweeping powers, also, but cannot use them on their own, they need cases brought.
The only quick end to this is if God files His Ultimate Veto on the Trump Presidency and ends it early. Failing that, it will be a long slog to remind him he is not a King.
I agree with your sentiments.
People have come to believe, from high-minded centrists, that the best way to resist is to step out of the way. Nonsense.
For any regular person looking to gum up the works, there’s even a field manual printed by the pros.
https://www.cia.gov/stories/story/the-art-of-simple-sabotage/
My point is a bit different. The current government is trying to flood the zone with misinformation to get everyone riled up and seeing threats everywhere, while they attack specific points in the Federal Government. Not everyone can resist it all, and in fact, they are counting on people getting so worked up at the minor stuff that they miss the major things. And there is only a very limited amount that the minority in Congress can do. Resistance should be targeted, just like their actual harmful actions are.
I would follow the lead of the States here. State governments (particularly Liberal ones) have the most to lose is this county goes full-on Fascist. They also have staff who understand the laws and how best to argue in court over this. Some bad shit will happen (particularly on immigration and deportation, where the States’ only option is to choose not to help ICE) but I will look to the States to ensure that four years from now, there is still a functional Union left.
Thank God the individual States still manage elections. If it weren’t for that, we’d all be fucked. We might still be, but at least it won’t be without a fight.
I disagree with your step out of the way remark. A lot of us are still mourning and reeling the loss of the country we thought we knew.
It also is important to make a plan and see the throughline amongst the chaos. If we don’t make a plan it’s going to be the summer of the 99% all over again.