As the collective furor over the Mueller testimony yesterday illustrated, the American public still cares about the lawless, corrupt, ruthless imperial presidency and all that’s attached to it. What the nation lacks is an opposition party, but it doesn’t have to be this way. The Democrats have long positioned themselves as the answers to the Republicans, in recent years relying on increasing faded and fraying leftist credentials: The Republicans stand for austerity, for hate, for hypocrisy.
But what do the Democrats stand for? It’s a question many Americans are asking and they aren’t liking the answer, judging from the growing numbers of independents. Democrats can and should be seizing this moment to take control of the narrative and create lasting, visionary change. There are three ways to do it.
Impeach
Obviously, impeachment should be high on the list, but not just for the criminal toad who rubs his fingers and gloats in the White House while enriching himself at the taxpayers’ expense. No, lawmakers should be taking advantage of their broader remit to impeach any and all members of the administration they can, given that they’ve proved crooked top to bottom. That includes appointed judges, every single cabinet secretary, and the golf caddy.
Impeachment hearings may not necessarily result in removal. But they will provide an opportunity for the public to hear detailed information about the long list of civil and criminal violations being committed by the people who are supposed to be acting as responsible stewards of key government agencies. And they will force the issue with conservatives who claim to care about integrity. It’s a message that will be lost on many constituents, but it’s one that needs to be sent.
Some may argue that impeachment could feed a martyr complex, especially if it targeted the whole executive branch. If hearings do not result in removal for office, they might even strengthen the president’s case in the 2020 election, making it easier to be elected by sycophantic followers who believe the poisonous lies dribbling from his lips. Rooting decisions in fear has not been helpful thus far; why would that change now?
Take back control of the table
Under Democratic control, the House of Representatives is starting to churn out some intriguing progressive legislation, like the recently-voted Raise the Wage Act. As soon as it gets to the Senate, it dies, as the smug popinjay who holds the Senate in a strangehold likes it that way. Mitch McConnell has spent much of his political career being an obstructionist, and has in fact pioneered tactics that have since become mainstays. When he decides legislation should not be put up for a vote, that’s the end of it.
Whatever dealing may happen behind closed doors, to the American people it appears as though the Democrats have elected a collective shrug over this state of affairs, making no move to compel McConnell to allow things to get to the floor for a vote. Should legislation fail, so be it, but it’s manifestly unjust to refuse to give people an opportunity to do what their constituents elected them to do: Debate and vote on legislation.
Democrats can’t change the rules, but they can change the game. If McConnell wants to turn this into a sport, Democrats have an obligation to make it as awkward, frustrating, and uncomfortable as possible. Lawmakers who don’t want to get their hands dirty should coordinate with advocacy groups. Occupy his office. Picket his home. Disrupt Senate proceedings. The Democrats do not seem to understand that Republicans don’t give a fig for the rule of order, so it’s time to stop acting as though being nice will get through eventually. It will not.
Defend colleagues
Recent weeks have seen escalating attacks on Democratic lawmakers, especially young ones with innovative ideas about lawmaking and America. Representatives Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashid Tlaib, and Ayanna Pressley (“the squad”) have come in for particular abuse, some so extreme that it has their constituents fearing for the lives of their elected officials. Some of these attacks have from from conservatives, including the president, but they have also come from within the Democratic party.
This stops now. Democratic lawmakers are encouraged to disagree and discuss issues, but attacking each other, and profiling each other for harassment and abuse, should be unacceptable. And the party should be clearly and emphatically joining in condemnation of the abuse these women are receiving; something hard to do when you’re busy attacking them. This is about respect for colleagues and a desire to collaborate, as a party, on advancing progressive legislation and policy ideals.
It is both painful and ludicrous to watch the Democratic establishment making light of young lawmakers who hope to be in leadership themselves someday. It sends a poor message to voters and to people thinking about entering politics. It is childish and pathetic.
In case you haven’t noticed, we have children in cages, a criminal in the Oval Office, white nationalists running rampant, climate change tearing communities apart, and a host of officials major and minor using the government for money and connections. That’s not what a free democratic country looks like. It’s not going to get better by looking away. Democrats, it’s time to do your jobs, or get out of the way of the people who will.