What Needs to Happen Now

The United States has taken a fundamental turn in its history of governing. It’s not the first time, but it is without precedent. We are no longer a Representative Democracy. The United States is now a Representative Autocracy.  For whatever reasons one may want to compile about how this came about, what was thrown into the soup; Biden (America’s Neville Chamberlain), a poorly chosen candidate, the lack of an effective narrative, and more, it is now the proverbial water over the dam. 

Whatever political Party (Republican or Democrat) or persuasion (Conservative, Centrist or Liberal) holds sway over the American people in the future; the Executive Branch of our Government (which includes the Military) will have significant, but not total control over the other two Branches. It is no longer "separate but equal".

This is not uncommon in the World, but the impact of the United States on other nations having or attempting democratic rule will be immense. The fall of the Ukrainian Government may be the first nail in the coffin. 

What’s left of our Representative Democracy sits atop a tripod. One leg is the Judicial Branch of Government, the second is free elections, and the third is a free media. We can expect to see all three legs chipped away over the coming years.  The goal will be to destroy public confidence in any one part. “Chipping” already started about 24 years ago. Now it likely will be accelerating. Any one of those legs fall…and the whole thing collapses. 

Like most things in history it will seem slow while we’re living in it, but looking back it will appear lighting fast. Think about Germany in the 1930s. Even the Jews living in it couldn’t see the end game. The United States is not 1930s Germany, but the similarities of the process cannot be ignored. Still, when things move slowly they are so easily ignored. 

What needs to happen, from the perspective of those who viewed a Trump victory as a severe turn to the Autocratic Right? We need a champion, and we need him now (note: I used the pronoun “him” because, tragically, this election struck a severe blow against the forces fighting against misogyny, worldwide. The likelihood that I won’t live long enough to see a woman President of the United States was only thing about this election that left me truly sad). 

Someone needs to announce their candidacy for President before Trump’s inauguration. Screw those who say our elections are too long. That ship has sailed. Those that oppose the Right Wing agenda, which will include the implementation of Project 2025, need a leader to rally around and who can begin to control the narrative...to defend each leg of that tripod. Someone needs to be there now, before the inevitable rise of J.D. Vance becomes unstoppable. 

If I were a king maker my first choice would be Cory Booker out of New Jersey. Perhaps even Chris Murphy from Connecticut. Regardless, it needs to be someone with the communication stature of a Barack Obama. 

The old failed leadership of the Democratic Party needs to go. The narcissism of people like Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer that keeps them clinging to office needs to end. Joe Biden taught us that lesson.

It’s a new age for this Country. It’s time to make the best of it.