Is it too early for protests?

I think any large protest would encounter Trumper counter-protesters of armed Proud Boys, Oath Keepers, et al, who would initiate violence. Trump would blame the violence on the protesters and use the violence as an excuse to declare a national emergency (hell, he might even try for "marshall" (sic) law). It would likely just expedite his consolidation of power. I suspect Trump keeps issuing more and more outlandish declarations hoping to ignite some large protests, which is just the next step in his plan to suspend all laws he thinks are in his way.
 
Paine said:
Of course they aren’t deep into the maneuverings. Most Democratic voters don’t even know that this is a concerted strategy. That’s why it’s important that people who do know start doing the work now to exploit these contradictions.

Republicans seem to always understand the fragmentations within the Democratic base and know exactly how to exploit them. Democrats need to do the same so that, when the bottom does fall out, there is a narrative.

Something must be done beyond just waiting. Dems can fundraise all they want over the next four years. It doesn’t matter if there aren’t free and fair elections. Our democracy is being dismantled before our eyes and most Democratic pols seem content to sit and wait for things to fall apart.
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I actually think that among the aging Democratic leadership, especially in the Senate, that is the plan. Wait until Trump screws things up like last time and then bounce back in 2026 and 2028. It's a kind of status quo approach, because then you don't have to change anything, especially any changes in party leadership. What I think many of them just don't get is that this time is different, and they may not have a chance to make a comeback in two or four years.
 
Paine said:
So you’re in the “what leverage do we have” camp?
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I am in the "what leverage do we have?" camp in that I believe that we need to stop waiting for others to come up with a solution, and start really coming up with one ourselves. The Greensboro to Durham area has long been one of the hearts of the protest movement in America. We have myriad, and varied, connections at our disposal. We are, in essence, a think tank. So, what are we going to do about that?
 
Paine said:
Any movement requires leadership. Local organizations aren’t providing any, local Dem party chapters aren’t, national Democrats aren’t. Someone has to be the galvanizer.
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We basically have one shot at a general strike. Save it for when the shit gets worse. Right now, the Americans who aren't paying attention will have no sympathy.

When Trump breaks the economy, that's when it's time to general strike.
 
tallheel95 said:
It does feel like everyone is just sitting on their hands, clutching pearls. I mean, we had a project 2025 PLAYBOOK. Why wasn't anyone prepared right out of the gate? Maybe there is some action (outside of lawsuits) that I'm not aware of... but right now it just seems like everyone is rolling over and watching the result unfold.
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The playbook was to inform the public of the existence of project 2025 before the election.

It didn’t work because the public can’t be bothered to pay any attention nor will they reflect on the fact that they ignored/dismissed the warnings.

Other than filing lawsuits and talking about what is happening, there isn’t much more democrats can do.
 
Paine said:
Any movement requires leadership. Local organizations aren’t providing any, local Dem party chapters aren’t, national Democrats aren’t. Someone has to be the galvanizer.

I fear spontaneous mass protests will only happen once it’s too late.
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Sorry. To be clear, when I say “we have lots of connections,” I am speaking of this zzlpolitics group. This space. This right here. We know people, from a variety of swaths of life, in the area in and around Chapel Hill. What can we, with the connections that we have, do to create legitimate change? I’m asking, because I think there is an answer somewhere in this group. I just don’t know what it is yet.
 
Paine said:
Are we underestimating the viral potential of something like a general strike? Understand that would be a large undertaking but interesting to ponder in the social media era.
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While SM is very powerful, there is no leader to rally around to achieve this. Who would do that? Who is personable enough, like a JJ, to do this? That is a big part of the left's problem right now. Nobody in the national sphere has the bona fides to do it. Bernie comes the closest, but he isn't universally liked within the party.
 
mpaer said:
Like the post above I agree it is a dilemea.It is looking like we are gonna have to let it all crash-hopefilly the courts will "Protest" to a degree that hurrys all that up
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Seems to me that act 2 of the trump Administration has no intention of any meaningful compliance with court orders. And there is no way to make them do otherwise.
 
The only thing that will stop these people is an economic shutdown. Complete and total.

They're not afraid of you electorally. They know they have two years to do whatever they want to. The electorate, shamefully, gave them that. Continue the protests, but until this shit affects them personally, they're not going to care.
 
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