They know we're in for four years of hell, so they'd rather focus on other things in their lives. If it's what's best for their mental health, I cannot blame them.

Some of us have checked out for a while to protect our mental health. But it is also true that we have stopped doing anything politically because we know we have to regroup. We have to figure out what is broken in our methods and address them before investing any more of our energy into them. Otherwise we are just wasting time, energy, and money.

I can't speak for other state parties, but the party in Texas is poorly organized, poorly funded, and poorly supported by citizens. We need to figure out what needs to be done to garner more support and I suspect a lot of it has to do with providing education to citizens and making it accessible. This is something that the party has really overlooked and it hurt us. I feel like we had so many volunteers sign up to help with the election, so much energy available but we were unable to use it to our best advantage because we simply didn't know how and didn't understand what activities would return the best results for victories at the polls.

In addition to election and campaign volunteers, we need to be working in our communities, build our grassroots and educate people about who Democrats are and why we support our party. That is something we are woefully inadequate on. Now the party is mostly run and powered by retirees who have experience, but don't understand new technologies and how to harness them to candidates' advantage. And we need to have some damn fun! How else are we going to bring in younger, brighter, and more creative individuals? The trouble is, we need to study on these issues and others like them to figure out how to accomplish our goals.

So it's not that we've given up on the party. It's that we've stopped running the machine that is guaranteed to take us over the cliff if we don't overhaul it completely. We are regrouping so that we can have a shot at winning back and protecting our democracy.

I don’t think she knows anything about the Dem Party in Texas but she was on fire- political fire for Kamala.
No one ever reached out to her and she didn’t know how to reach out to the Democratic Party there. I know she spoke out loudly for Kamala among her friends.

I felt the same way before I went down to the party office and asserted myself, but honestly, there were few resources to turn to in helping volunteers to do results-yielding activities. Even I couldn't do much to direct them. The local party had committees for delivering signs, door knocking, phone banks, post carding, etc but that's just election season stuff. We need to get people to the party long before the signs and campaign commercials start.

a 50 state strategy. no more just conceding the red states.

if you held a gun to their head. These people literally think Trump is the second coming. It has very little to do with policies or government. They actually like the nastiness, the name-calling, the misogyny, the tough guy act - and that include women.

Sorry, but it is true. And I think it reflect most of white America. Of course not all, I'm white

We live in a very narrowly divided country, writing off large swaths puts us at a disadvantage. It will take time, but we didn't lose most of these areas overnight either.

That is a pretty large change and I consider it quite fast - because I am constantly telling my family....it didn't use to be like this.

I think that the US going back to it's roots has never accepted minorities willingly and the modern day Democratic Party is THE party of diversity.

Whether that is a positive or negative thing, time will tell. I personally think it is the strength of our party and society in general.

What a boring world it would be if we all were Republican ☮

Fundraising skyrockets during years with general elections and significantly drops off during odd years.

Some small counties can't keep the lights on during odd years and only have HQs Aug-Nov during even years.

Volunteerism drops off significantly after a general election. An office packed with volunteers turns into a snoozer shortly after the election.

My daughter was silent in order to save friendships and got mad at me because I wouldn't tip toe around her friends!

Republicans are decades ahead of us on that. They started it with "culture wars."

Meantime, we have not promoted our own cultural values enough at local and state levels.

I am in western NY. NY is a blue state only because of NYC, Buffalo, and a couple smaller cities. The rural counties are solidly deep red.

My own county government used to have Democratic Party leadership and two of its largest cities used to have Democratic mayors and councils. The Republican culture wars turned the entire county government red. Only one small city still has a Democratic mayor and council. In the November election this year, two positions ran MAGA candidates, unopposed. Nobody even knows the name of the Dem candidate who ran against our extremely gerrymandered district's MAGA House representative.

State and federal party levels write us off as too red to bother with. There are private and state college campuses in the district and several demographic groups that could be reached if an effort was made, but the district is widespread geographically and campaign costs are high. The district and my county are financially poor, with only a handful of companies that have good paying jobs. A little effort from state and federal levels could add jobs and campaign funds.

I think that one reason for ignoring rural red areas is low population levels. Yet, we could gain Congressional seats from those rural districts with some investment in money and effort to reach the people.

There probably is a better way to reach rural populations than door to door.

for the Dem congressional candidate. Not on radio or in print. There are several radio stations here, but no local TV stations anywhere in the county. The nearest TV stations are in Buffalo, available via cable.

Stepping back for mental health reasons, but we still have to be aware of what's going on.
They want to wear us down, we can't let that happen.

What's going on, and it's ALL VERY BAD.

and it will be every hour, every single day.
None of it even needs to be posted, because anyone who knows just a little bit of world history knows CNN etc al, and is completely controlled by the same dark forces rule SCOTUS, Pentagon, White House, Congress, Intelligence and Secrity, IRS, NSA All of it
Just imagine the worst thing every day, and it will be every worse than your imagination.
If that's not enough to inform you of the reality we are experiencing, then you'll be in for an even more shocking experience. But don't be surprised, or wonder why the rest of us understand it all from studying a little history.

agree with your post. But those who voted for him or did not voted at all, are in for a rude awakening. We are their toxic mix too.

Goddess knows, I've given it my all for the past 60+ decades. fighting for truth, justice and equality for all, fighting for our rights, Women's Rights, Civil Rights, Seniors rights, Clean Air, Clean Water, and on and on and on.
Every election voted, canvassed, discussed, debated, etc etc .

Everything we stand for, everything we've fought for. Only to be undermined by the fucking GREEDY, CORRUPT OWNERS of American MEDIA who brought this catastrophic shit show by crowning their champion of all times, serving him up on a silver platter, because he's one of them.
And he's not only safeguarding their profits, he's making them even wealthier by all of the Dems watching every day and night and every hour. "sharing" their media clips etc.

The travesty of our peeps making the media even more wealthy while they traffic and profit from our angst, and fears is beyond comprehension to me.

If we can't convince our own peeps of this obvious fact, then how in the hell can anyone expect to convince the American IDIOTS and Cult followers to vote in their best interest?


I

in the US, but we'll still bear the brunt of it because of the insanity that Trump and his lowlifes are promising. And of course I just can't believe those saying it won't be so bad 😞. He is full of hate and vindictiveness, of course it will be bad !!! At least for the next two years but probably more.

That's why I've switched off largely, and have hardly been on du or any other media sites since.

has been lacking a Lion of the Senate. It had a lion of the House in Nancy Pelosi.

We need fighters, regardless of age, and bypassing AOC was a mistake, sent a wrong message.

The Democratic Party has been muzzling their best people, and for that, I will never forgive them.

I'm not one to be able to turn the other cheek!

finger prints all over that.

At what point will Pelosi forgive? What lesson is she waiting for AOC to learn? Or is it just pettiness?

Especially about the Senate. Forcing out Al Franken over nothing - not even an internal investigation - was one of the stupidest political mistakes I've witnessed.

also.

Regrouping. We have been here before. The violent chaos from the Republican Party redux.

because the 'big tent thing' isn't working on getting voters. The party can not be the end all to everyone. This election proves that. Our messaging sucks.

IMO the big difference is the rights' media ecosystem is much more potent and dishonest, but miscellaneous cheating that helped them

White dudes front and center - and behind as back drops.

Scale back the promotion of diversity, inclusion and all that good stuff with signs at rallies. Stick with the truckers for, plumbers for, firefighters for, police for, teachers for, farmers for us, etc signs.

Keep that stuff they use against us as covert as possible publicly. The folks who it matters to should know who's corner were in. The knuckle draggers are driven by visuals, snippets and click bait.

So, middle aged white dudes all over the place.

And maybe some cool looking flags and anti trump GOP stuff.

And why can't we flood the social media zone with memes and anti gop click bait? We can actually use facts instead of made up stuff like Hillary behind bars. Goetz alone should be enough to produce a trove of memes.

Drive around my area and there are trump flags and banners all over. Including the one of him doing the fight fist post assassination attempt. That one really annoys me.

And not one Democrat won in my Trumbull County!
D.U. was a gathering place of unity and people who literally thought about the solutions.

I think Snark ran a lot of good posters out!

Some people can be unnecessarily rude and hateful. It wouldn't hurt any of us to remember that we are all going through shit in our personal lives and to try to be a little kinder. We all are human and make mistakes but it isn't necessary to make someone bleed to address a mistake.

Plastered all over were simple yard signs that said

Trump: safety
Harris: crime

That was it. Hundreds of them. 18x24 size.

And that cheesy trump pic of him smiling on billboards. The one they use on election night with his sh*t eating grin.

They ran out two very good people in Tim Ryan and Sherrod Brown. Our whole state is Repukes!

It’s so heartbreaking when you think of how Democratic we used to be in Ohio!

This will probably get alerted on and ffs, I’m not trying to rehash old stuff (and Earl’s new forum should allow more of this kind of discussion) BUT…

Many progressives moved off here or were purged. Even progressive Dems like AOC (who was inspired to run by Bernie) initially found a frosty reception here and in Congress. I don’t think we’ve reconciled that tbh.

Do we go (back) to FDR ideals of a democracy that uplifts every American like fighting for M4A or a public option, a decent living wage, free community college, affordable housing, trans rights (yes they matter) etc? Or do we become Republican-lite, beholden to special corporate interests, both-parties-are-the-same etc?

We desperately need that conversation stat. I don’t think it’s snark that’s driven off folks - it’s a rigidity that we can’t afford anymore. Shutting out AOC for example, isn’t a good harbinger imo

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Many of our most thoughtful, good-hearted DU'er's from the old days were literally banned because they became critical of the DNC's corporate and neo-liberal turn.

You can't have a big tent if you can't brook disagreement, especially when all the critique is asking for is a return to the kind of old-fashioned, pro-labor, anti-war, pro-free speech values that the Dems used to stand for (and that Trump now pretends to embrace!)

I don't think we have to give up being anti-racist, etc.; I just think we need to get back to standing up for the middle class.

Another thing that would be helpful is to start talking a better game of taxing the rich. We've been cutting taxes for decades – always cutting a little bit for the middle class and a whole lot for the rich – and as a result, our economy, infrastructure, social safety net, etc. are a disaster. Other developed countries have much higher taxes and yet still have middle classes living in much greater material comfort, with free health care, longer life expectancies, free education, free childcare, lower retirement ages, etc. etc. We need to make the case for raising the taxes to do at least some of these things and make clear that the middle class can gain more than it loses from properly-designed higher taxes so long as the rich are made to pay their fair share.

There are many other issues like this, where we've allowed our policies to be run by Wall St. and big corporations. In all these areas, we need to talk a better game and make the case for the idea of our common social welfare, instead of continuing to acquiesce in the dog-eat-dog, might-is-right, greed-is-good ethos we've acquiesced in since Reagan.

We did try the “Joe the plumber” route by running Walz for VP. Maybe if the campaign started sooner(100 days??😬 that may have helped. But, the GOP/Trump captured the “bro voters”. They knew that would supersede the “Me too” and “DEI” vote. We didn’t see it till we were talking about whether Kamala should go on Joe Rogans podcast🤢

I just can't find common ground with anybody that continually defend Donald Trump. I have one living on both sides of me so do you is my sanctuary and a few people here that try to build me up I need each and every one of you and we need to bring more people in not push them out. Remember that when you're posting something that may offend somebody.

Minnesota is an open minded place and he was able to do what he wanted. And people do learn about that stuff. If not through the news then through attack ads.

We frankly just need to have some normal people run--and no that does not necessarily mean "white men".

It simply means that not everyone has to have an NPR identity kink or race/gender/sex trauma event that defines them.

"Identity kink", interesting turns of the phrase you got going there.

The party itself should stay clear of BS

I bet that Trump flag was made in China! I noticed numerous signs were purchased on Amazon. (Both parties) These signs only benefit the Amazon seller, not the party. All signs should have fine print on them. If they don't they were purchased from someone who isn't benefitting the candidate. Most Trump flags are from Amazon. Same with Biden flags that we had. I purchase signs from the candidates and local party.

We need to move away from the idea that our nominee has to appeal or be accepted by every far flung corner of the tent.

You obviously have some ideas...

I'm not even disagreeing with you -- When Newt and his crazies took over the GOP in the mid-90s, the FIRST thing they did was to systematically weed all the level headed moderates out of the party... It took them a good 15 years, but they emerged with something leaner, meaner, and much more unified. Anybody who stepped out of the party line got replaced....

I'm just citing an example here, but I'm honestly interested in hearing who you'd start with.

It was very close, and I’m still not convinced there weren’t real issues with voter suppression. Unfortunately, some people (e.g., Carville) love to point fingers in a very vocal way to get attention.

Very few Americans are getting news from cable tv - most on the net. Trump and his people were on so many podcasts day after day - even had long interviews with comedians like Theo Von.

The people running Kamala’s campaign supposedly spent more on rallies than the net. I don’t think they realized the importance of being all over the internet. Another reason why the Dems need more younger people representing us. .

I think it’s also the Dems not giving more power to younger Dems - like AOC. Also, the young were marching against the war every weekend and the Dems didn’t address the younger generation or give them any hope for peace in Gaza.

I’m finding it hard right now to formulate a pragmatic plan forward. Taking a little time to wait and see just what is going to happen could be a good approach. I doubt very much the Democratic leadership is not fortifying the government in various ways to protect established norms.
The MAGA world is doing some heavy infighting…that looks more fractured than the Dems.

and what is left of them. Elect anyone as long as we can get them elected.

Is sit back with a bowl of popcorn and let them destroy each other.

It started sooner than I expected.

administrations all over the world have lost elections. The MSM wants us to think we are "shattered". I haven't watched one minute of the
cable news bull shit since the election. let's face it we had a candidate with two strikes against her from the get-go along with right wing media to
fight. I agree with a previous post we need a lion in the Senate, I get tired of hearing that "My friends across the aisle".

As a whole has lost lots of people. Political burnout?
Or just trying to think of how to cope?

We lost a lot of good posters here. They just disappeared and never returned.

the damn videos posted with the words "Devistating" "Destoryed" "Bombshell". You watch a 15 minute video and it's nothing.
Then there is the one that makes the same post in 6 different threads.

I have actually unfollowed many Democratic YouTube channels because of that. But they continue to give Trump free facetime.

I’m so sick of seeing his smarmy, bloated face and usually scroll away as fast as possible.

I’m sure we’ve lost more members than are on the memorial page because so many of us are singular anonymous posters. Dementia, poverty and lack of internet access, etc. Just as our party needs to attract new young blood, so does DU.

One of my early posts said I was disappointed in President Biden about something and I was reported and warned not to BASH democrats. Now I only comment on unimportant topics. Fellow dems have turned me off just like fellow church members turned me off to my church.

Everyone is so angry these days. Even people we mainly agree with are lashing out at each other.

Last time I served, all I did the entire time was review posts. It was constant. It made it unbearable.
And the jury system is biased towards specific posters.

I think being anonymous encourages people to say things that wouldn't say in real life or on places like facebook.

I think alot of members have "aged out" or died. Many long time posters just disappear and we have no idea where they have gone and no way to connect with them.

even with all the tailwind they had.

And their ‘base’ is the group they are about take a big dump on . . . at some point reality breaks through. Ditto for the ‘swing’ voters.

The democrats have more or less picked up the educated/professional . . the traditional GOP base.

So, barely won, lost traditional base, about to lose a chunk of new base, and all the swing . . .

The democrats have a chance to shatter the GOP, if they adjust. Time for new leadership, dynamic progressive leadership, laser focused on pocketbook issues.

All contingent if there are free and fair elections, of course. If not, they will be facing trying to control a country where 75% of the population hates them.

But I feel strong disconnect in D.U. Over the past few years. One of the biggest complaints is the sarcasm and back biting. There's no time for any of that anymore. We need to connect. We need to be strong and we need to be compassionate with many people who are scared for their very lives. This is what this community was based upon when it was originally started so let's just bring that back.

The level of hyperbole hair of fire posts has risen dramatically.
It almost is turning into an echo chamber.

And the video section is just spammed with idiotic videos with big yellow block letters with lots of, REPUBLICANS CRUSHED!!! TRUMP HUMILIATED!!!!!! Then the same crap the next day or week

Pretty much the same people posting them with no summary at all.

I come to see the trending news, once in a while a comment.

Who is behind that? Could it be the $? Could it be the White Christian Nationalist Repugs? Or right - they're the same thing.

Could it be a little subliminal brainwashing?

Somebody is creating a narrative that distracts from the real problems with the election.

I think we need someone to step forward with strength, charisma and a clear message of what Democrats stand for.

At this time, I don't have a clue who that might be. Possibly, someone from outside conventional politics.

Become the advocates we are wishing for. Work at local levels and build the pyramid we need to reach the top.

Because it is.
There is a split though among more progressive members and the republican enabling corporate democrats.

Why do they enable? Shared goals in service to their true masters.

So there is that division but it's not new.

Is a Corporate enabler?

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on your list that each person on your list has done.

Thanks in advance!

But the core base is resting. For like - the next four years.

Posts don't matter. Votes do.

An at best mediocre, convicted felon, low IQ, adjudicated rapist, traitor document stealing, maggot that tried to overthrow America White Man beat a:

Highly intelligent
Well educated
Accomplished
Classy
Former AG and former Prosecutor
Currently seated VP

Black Woman.

Messaging sucked? Hmm. . . AmeriKKKa is what it is to this Black woman.

I'm resting. Get someone else to do it.

Also - hint for the *messaging experts* : Women of Color is insulting.

Do not lump Black Woman in with the rest of the *woc*. Our grandmother's survived Jim Crow and we have the *grit* handed down to us to survive MagAmerica. So if you want us to vote in two years -

You better make it worth it for us. I know I'm personally connected to 5 black churches and my local Synagogue so I can go behind AmeriKKKa's back and help people who deserve my time, money and empathy.

Depending on how you define race, she has a mixed background. She is not Indian. She is not Black. She is a mixture of those, and probably some others, as well.

She is the epitome of a "woman of color."

As do I. I would bet like me - she's never been called a racial slur by Black people directly to her face.

She went to Howard and is a Soror for a reason.

I would also say - that as a Black Woman who also has a mutli racial identity and who came of age in the 70's/80's . . .

Our self identification outranks the opinions of a Male Elder from the Dominant Culture.

Now is really good time for non Black Americans to stay in their lane.

You missed that whole thing about whether or not she was black? Hmmm . . .

There's is no definition. Either you popped someone In the mouth for calling your mother a N-Bomb Lover on the playground or you didn't. I did.

I know more than you on this subject.

Have a good day.

The problem is what to do with ourselves when fascism takes over.
Or about how far is rock bottom before the right wing base normalizes into recognizable humans.
Or about whether the GOP will self-destruct within the next 4 years.

The history books and economic patterns are more relevant now than electioneering.

here in D.U. This was and will always be a place of resting and finding hope through others!

You have to get into your community and connect IRL with like minded souls.

For EVERYONE. Got hate mail through my mail slot in the front door as a result of my action. Out with a bullhorn at Lance Town Halls in support of the ACA. Harassed Kean Jr for two years over the SALT Cap. Built a local Democratic Committee, Club, flipped my Council entirely blue from entirely red and ran for and won a seat myself last year.

I have two years left in my term to take care of my Borough. Anything other than that? My people.

Also - from my parents pulling me into the anti war movement in the early 2000's - vet everyone. My dad was a Special Forces officer during Vietnam - Silent Generation. So he missed the Vietnam war and Civil Rights protests in Talladega. My mom.on the other hand . . .

Listen to our Boomers who to me - were the Greatest Generation.
We need to listen to them when they talk about infiltrators and Random Acts of Defiance.

We have a lot of Boomers and some Silents here. We need to listen and learn.

My dad's family was wealthy. Someone paid for the Freedom Riders and the Bail. Its in my blood to step back, vet, and target my dollars.

I'm jumping up and down because the current normalizing is not addressing the existential threat we are facing right now.

The Democratic Leaders are talking about regrouping and getting ready to fight another day - in two years and in four years. Will there even be any democratic process or institutions left. Are there safeguards to protect the institutions.

I think our leaders should be fighting to keep the Constitution and our democracy, NOW. Why are they not letting the 14th Amendment or some other mechanisms of the Constitution prevent the danger that is allowing the grifter in the oval office again?

I wrote a soliloquy/post about it yesterday. I am glad others are asking the same questions.

I for one have checked out. Why give my eyeballs to platforms that are 24/7 focused on TSF? Give me a place where we can discuss voter suppression, Russian propaganda/election interference and the outright criminality of the other side and maybe I’ll part with some of my energy and what little cash I can spare.

some peace here in D.U. because a lot of us had to stop watching the news.

That is where you can have discussions about the topics you referenced.

I am going to start directing my subscriptions that way.

I wish the Democratic Party was more aggressive & in the public's face with their message.
I'd like to see people like Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez & Jasmine Crockett & Pete Buttigieg in the forefront & leading. I would've loved to see Bernie Sanders as the Presidential candidate. Or any of them.
It seems like the Dems say "OK!.It's your turn" to the veteran figures in the Democratic ranks for the Presidency.
Having said that Biden did a damn good job. It was the relentless propaganda/ media message that fueled Trump victory. I had one Trumpanzee tell me when I stated that I personally am doing much better during the Biden administration than Trump's that I was a F.......liar!
How do you deal with that?

You shun them and let the leopard eat their face.

I know - they're family. Or - they are an old friend.

When people show you they are a bunch of nasty little Nazis - you shun them. They have what they want - let them have it.

The non voters are a different story altogether - but I'm not lifting a finger to help them.

She was not a *dei* candidate.

And Sanders is too old. This messaging would not get me to the polls in 2026.

For some reason, this country doesn’t elect Vice presidents. The country did once 36 years ago.

They are not going to support AOC or Sanders. This country is not mature enough to elect a gay man to the Presidency. Of course we turn to veteran figures in the party. They are proven leaders, like Biden, who has been a wonderful President. You must be new to politics.

You don't, you cannot reason with an idiot.

He’s had his chance, Democratic primary voters rejected him.

He is no doubt a fine Senator for Vermont.

...I don't see the point in looking at our half of the country's support as 'shattered,' no more than republicans who hold the other half of support.

The party got bit and retreated to nurse its wounds. Now is the time to watch and plan the counterattack.
So far, there's been little to see, but after the 20th, the fight will be back on as the Convict in Chief tests that red line that crosses into dictatorship. Democrats may be sitting on our hands, but that's just keeping them warm for the coming battle.

So, a group of people voted for Trump as president and then voted for a down ticket Democratic candidate. Very interesting.

What kept them from voting for Harris? And I'm sure there is not one answer. What I would say is that Harris didn't do a particularly good job of listing her priorities. For Democratic candidates the American worker always needs to be the first priority. If we allow Republicans to frame our priorities any differently, we will not win. Because it comes down to this: regardless of gender, color, religion, sexuality, a person is a worker. If we take care of the worker, the other priorities will also benefit.

She could have personally handed each Maga Party voter $100 K and they would have whined that she didn't iron it first.

They are stone cold racists and I hope they get EVERYTHING their Tech Bros are promising.

Everything.

Worker is just one aspect of a person. Some people are not workers. Many more in the near future will not be workers.Conversely, many workers will be robots not people

Each of us as a person is entitled to life , liberty and the pursuit of happiness by virtue of personhood not by assignment in a labor market. We come together to form societies of whole people and economic systems are tools of societies.

The economic isms of the 19th century are in their death throes and they all need a stake through the heart.
Once we understand the is fundamental relationship and the primacy of society over economics, we can build a society that works for us as people , and move beyond seeing ourselves as mere cogs being plugged into an economic system for the benefit of a few bosses or corporate “entities.”

In our society, everyone is a worker or dependent on a worker. You may be retired, but you still are receiving benefits based on your work. Children are dependent on their parents/guardians work. We need good working opportunities and conditions. Pay needs to be fair to everyone. Opportunities need to be fair. Everyone needs to be treated with dignity. My argument is that if we take care of this part of our lives, it trickles down to other parts of our lives.

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We may not be on the exact same page but we are in the same chapter.

I appreciate your thinking. Our situation is complex and can be approached on many levels.

There really is not much, on balance, to offer newcomers here.

So many actually good, vital, stimulating articles sink like rocks, whilst fake news/misleading OPs often remain up long after they are debunked.

Not just that, but new replies flow in and wilfully ignore the fact the OP is bullshit.

Also, there is the always irritating, far too common ploy of a person admitting they know little to nothing about a subject, but then proceeding to issue narratives, commands, demands, etc, often invoking logical fallacies, flawed framings, and, unfortunately at times, outright falsehoods, all spun up as if they are the sole arbiter on the subject, self-admitted ignorance be damned.

The level of discernment here is lower than when I joined, and the groupthink level higher. Tolerance of most anything declared to be remotely heterodox is abysmal.

Add it all up, and you hardly have the recipe for a vibrant growing community.

Republicans are about to control the House, the Senate, the Oval Office, SCOTUS, DoJ, US Military, etc. Most of the US media is littered with their wealthy allies who control it, etc.

They're about to change the voting laws and campaign finance laws to help Republicans retain power.
They will change other laws to give the oligarchs more control.
There are discussions and fears of them changing the Constitution.
They'll change the rules like net neutrality to exert further control.

Whether we like it of not, we appear to be in for a significant dose of authoritarianism and fascism.

I've asked this question several times:
At this moment in time, what substantial things can we do about it - how are we supposed to fight back?
Go on twitter to get your posts filtered so nobody can read them like X did to me during the election?

Where is the democratic leadership offering a vision or direction on what we can do about this?

Our best chance might be Trump imploding yet the facilitators of Trump probably already have that covered.

I have the willingness to fight but all I see is shadow boxing.
Very frustrating

It's just a waste of energy if you can't even land a blow. Conserve your energy, pay attention and learn something that might be useful.

What are our leaders doing to protect the Constitution?

All those further actions you list that they will undertake to further undermine our Democratic Republic seem like realistic threats.

What can WE do? I, for one, am scared.

and it doesn't have to always be seen.

The most important thing is just voting .

That the dems stood on the right side and did all they can.

Sure we lost meaning either the country is tired of being nice to each other and having a democracy is old

Or

Misinformation overpowered the dem messaging and it didnt get through.

So i think its more disinformation and dems ran the old fashioned GOTV which is not enough.

The result is republicans can enact project 2025 if they want and have all republicans on board

Other than the base, which we mistakenly think is the entire world, it didn't ignite anyone and that showed at the ballot box.

We cant have our messaging be just We are for LGBTQ rights and pro abortion. Sure we can have that as one of many things we are for but it cant be the primary messaging

And the party isn't shattered. You wanna talk about shattered, try 1984 and 1988. How about 1994. Yea, that was a bad year. We lost in 2024 but we weren't crushed. Jebus people, you act like Harris was Mondale reincarnated.

There's work to be done and I hope it's done well. We seem to be good at 138 point plans but not on execution, not on taking credit for what we do, and certainly not on communicating in general. In short, we are not exciting anyone with the same old political style some don't trust anymore. Some think we're the face of status quo. Hard to believe but most likely true. See communication. We are our own worst enemies.

Joe Biden did some great things - Inflation Reduction Act, Infrastructure Act, Chips Act.

How many people really understand how consequential and beneficial they are and will be, for everyone in this country, and for years to come?