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democracy for america
Armed to the Teeth, America Has an Anger Problem
Dealing with Trump's occupation of all too many American hearts and minds.
Jun 30, 2022
Increasingly, it seems, Americans have an anger problem. All too many of us now have the urge to use name-calling, violent social-media posts, threats, baseball bats, and guns to do what we once did with persuasion and voting. For example, during the year after Donald Trump entered the Oval Office, threats of violence or even death against lawmakers of both parties increased more than fourfold. And too often, the call to violence seems to come from the top. Recently, defendants in cases involving extremist violence have claimed that an elected leader or pundit "told" them to do it. In a country where a sitting president would lunge at his own security detail in rage, I guess this isn't so surprising anymore. Emotion rules the American political scene and so many now tend to shoot from the hip without even knowing why.
As the Trumpists ramp up their anger, if progressives don't find a unifying message of community and love, and find it soon, the guns already out there may be put to use in unspeakable ways.
Increasing numbers of us, however, respond to the growing extremity of the moment by avoiding the latest headlines and civic engagement, fearful that some trauma will befall us, even by witnessing "the news." As a psychotherapist who works with veterans and military families, I often speak with folks who have decided to limit their news intake or have stopped following the news altogether. Repeated mass shootings in places ranging from schools to houses of worship combined with the increased visibility and influence of militias at theoretically peaceful demonstrations can be more scarring than the wounds soldiers once sustained in combat zones.
I must admit that my family and I have sometimes practiced a similar form of political avoidance. Recently, I considered taking my two young children to the March for Our Lives gun-control event on the National Mall in Washington. However, my spouse, an active duty servicemember, urged me to reconsider. If extremists showed up, it might prove difficult for me alone to get our children out of danger. I thought better of it and stayed home.
In a country where a Republican senatorial candidate can run an ad featuring himself with an armed military tactical unit on a residential street, urging Americans to hunt "RINOS"--Republicans in Name Only, or those who criticize Trump--without widespread censure from his party, I believe my family's fears are well founded.
The question "What if something happens?" at a protest would never have occurred to either my spouse or me when we first met more than a decade ago.
As a human rights activist who spent years working in Vladimir Putin's Russia, I can say that I'm now more afraid of the hair-trigger responses of right-wing Americans than I was of that Kremlin strongman's far more carefully targeted violence. I guess the memory of the January 6th Capitol riot, insurrection, coup attempt (or any descriptor of your choice) by a mob of angry Trump supporters still weighs heavily on me.
The Devil's in the Details
These days, it's the mundane stuff like Republican Party meetings that contain the details we'd do well to notice. Such proceedings reveal a new level of combativeness as party leaders attempt to shape state and local laws and policies to their ever less democratic desires. For instance, Politico recently obtained recordings of Republican National Committee (RNC) operatives training thousands of volunteer poll watchers to disrupt future elections in Democratic districts of swing states like Michigan by actively challenging the eligibility of voters.
The RNC and its affiliates are linking those poll watchers to hotlines and websites that list party-friendly lawyers, police officers, and district attorneys who might be ready to stage real-time interventions during voting and vote counts. For example, district attorneys recruited by the right-wing organization the Amistad Project will be able to start investigations and issue subpoenas ever more quickly.
Of course, the RNC initiative at the polls is rooted in the baseless claim that the 2020 election was stolen from former President Donald Trump. That committee's identification with such a lie should instantly debunk any idea that such would-be poll watchers could act fairly. The very roles of poll watcher and poll challenger are supposed to be legally different, with only poll challengers authorized to interfere in the voting process in most states, including Michigan - and then only based on facts.
Yet we're clearly in a world where Republican leaders have begun to treat our polls as war zones. In the spirit of this moment, an RNC election-integrity officer for Michigan, Matthew Seifried, described his future poll volunteers and the public officials supporting them this way: "It's going to be an army." He added that his party is "going to have more lawyers than we've ever recruited, because let's be honest, that's where it's going to be fought, right?"
Seifried and his Michigan colleagues are anything but alone in their combative rhetoric. Such militarized language and imagery are now all-too-regularly part of our political DNA. Only recently, the Texas Republican Party released a statement refusing to recognize the legitimacy of Joe Biden's 2020 election victory. All too typically, it also called for that state's Republicans to "go on offense and win the fight for our country!"
In Texas and beyond, individuals expressing such anger (and sometimes a vision of a future white ethno-state as well) are gaining elected office. Surprising numbers of Republican candidates and public officials who share the view that the 2020 election was stolen also regularly echo the white racist Great Replacement Theory. Meanwhile, across the country, multiple electoral bills are being considered by Republican-controlled state legislatures that would, in the future, enable them to overturn elections.
According to the International Center for Not for Profit Law, 45 state legislatures have considered 230 bills that would criminalize the "threat" of violent leftist or Black protests. And sadly enough, far-right activists are anything but a "fringe minority" movement as they challenge the very idea of peaceful elections and public protests (that aren't theirs).
To be sure, left-wing violence and combative rhetoric is a thing in this country, albeit a small one. The shooting of a Trump supporter by an Antifa protester in Portland, Oregon, during a Black Lives Matter demonstration in August 2020 is the lone example of a lethal attack by that left-wing group or other anti-fascists over the past 25 years. Of 450 murders by political extremists during the last decade, approximately 4% of them were committed by left-wing groups and about 75% by right-wing (white supremacist, anti-government) ones.
In my own extended family of parents, siblings, aunts, and uncles, most of whom support Trump, about half have stopped speaking to me, while some have called me "weak" and a "coward" on social media because of the ideas I discuss in essays like this, where I've openly criticized the U.S. government and its military. (Of note, my immediate military family and friends accept our differences far more gracefully.)
Saving Democracy
So, what are we to do? As a start, given where the Trumpist movement and much of the Republican Party seems to be heading, we really need to do something--almost anything. As Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, pointed out, facing the growing crisis on the right, "I have seen no significant increase in support from national party leaders than what we experienced in 2018" when party vigilance was significant enough but not nearly what was needed.
A headline of an article in the satirical online newspaper The Onion caught the mood of the moment among progressives: "Left Wing Group Too Disorganized for FBI Agents to Infiltrate." In it, a fictional FBI agent says, "These people don't ever do anything violent--they don't ever do anything at all."
Recently, a local Democratic candidate in Maryland knocked on my door seeking my name and contact information as a possible volunteer for his campaign. It turned out, however, he wasn't even carrying a pen or paper. That seemed to capture the problem I often note in progressive activism these days. I gave him a couple of our first grader's overdue library slips to write on and a marker we had lying around. And it's sadly true that Democrats and progressives more generally lack a concerted response to right-wing anger and violence.
Ironically, one government institution that has at least made a nod toward countering right-wing violence is our military. Since the January 6th attacks, the Department of Defense under Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has acknowledged an increase in domestic extremist violence carried out by active-duty or reserve service members. In response, he initiated a multipronged strategy to screen new recruits, educate military personnel about extremism, and begin investigating extremist activity within the ranks.
While I've encountered my share of bigoted remarks in the five duty stations where we've served, I've also met far more people in those military communities than in civilian ones who are willing to form friendships with those of different ideological leanings. When you depend on one another for companionship and even survival, at home or abroad, you can't be too choosy about the beliefs of your companions.
As partisan rhetoric heats up in this country, I'd say progressives are guilty of focusing too hard on the most politicized identity issues, however valuable, or even whatever asinine behavior ignites our airwaves at a given moment, be it Trump's QAnon-style conspiracy-mongering or ex-New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's groping. The problem is that, as the Trumpists ramp up their anger, if progressives don't find a unifying message of community and love, and find it soon, the guns already out there may be put to use in unspeakable ways.
Progressives would do well to step back and think about the genuine big-tent issues like how to show everyone from white suburban women to rural farmers to Black single parents that they have so much to lose in life if we don't have a government willing to continue regulating health care and doing so in a far better fashion. They would gain so much if, in this all-too-angry country of ours, they could refocus our attention on the importance of childcare for every family who needs it.
Above all, if they could focus in an intense way on the ever more dangerous world we're living in, that would be a positive. Whether or not we agree on what's causing global warming, it's hard not to agree right now that we're living in an ever hotter, ever more drought-stricken, ever more extreme America. Who can't agree that it's already damn hot and the summer's just beginning?
Something needs to be done--and soon--to mitigate the effects of climate change, but no political campaign has yet emerged that captures the urgency and extremity (and for once I'm not thinking about Donald Trump!) of this moment. Most immediately, those of us who favor democracy and a better planet would do well to support the criminal prosecution of former President Trump because if he becomes this country's leader again, we could find ourselves in trouble too deep to ever get out of.
And yes, on so many issues, many of us may not agree with Wyoming Representative Liz Cheney, the top Republican on the House committee investigating the January 6th attacks, or even former Vice President Mike Pence, who risked his own life and his family's to certify Joe Biden's victory. But I agree with Democratic Representative Jaimie Raskin that they're among the Republican heroes of this Trumpian moment (who are few and far between). As the Russian novelist and historian Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn once wrote, "The line separating good and evil passes right through the human heart."
Occupying the hearts of many Americans, however, is Donald Trump, a damaged man who personifies our basest instincts. He needs to be identified forcefully by leaders of all stripes as the threat to democracy he is. (Hurry up, Attorney General Merrick Garland, and bring charges against him!)
Meanwhile, we should all seek opportunities to find common ground among ideological opposites. Invite over a neighbor for dinner, even though you know he listens to conservative radio on his way to work. Help another family with childcare even though the political signs on their lawn aren't ones you agree with. Just try to avoid the angry, armed ones or have them check their guns at the door. They're the ones who need to change their tactics. Otherwise, judging by the flight of tens of thousands of highly skilled Russian professionals from Vladimir Putin's war-mongering regime, I'm sure he has a few job openings for them.
If only their hatred had no place here. It's time to be less angry and far more focused.
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Progressives in Congress Commit to Sunrise Movement's $10 Trillion 'Good Jobs for All' Pledge
"The climate crisis poses an existential threat to our planet, but it also brings massive opportunity to redress historic injustices and build a better future for all."
Mar 25, 2021
As U.S. coronavirus cases continue to climb, millions of Americans remain out of work, and climate campaigners express initial disappointment over President Joe Biden's emerging infrastructure proposal, the Sunrise Movement on Thursday officially launched its Good Jobs for All Pledge with support from eight key progressives in Congress.
"There's no reason anyone in the richest country in the history of the world should be unemployed, underemployed, or working a job that isn't in the public interest."
--Varshini Prakash, Sunrise Movement
The original signatories of the pledge--which is part of a campaign the youth-led climate advocacy group kicked off earlier this month--are Sens. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) as well as Reps. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.), Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.) Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.)
"I commit to doing everything in my power to pass legislation that guarantees good jobs for all, invests $10 trillion over the next decade to create millions of union jobs addressing the crises of climate change, economic inequality, and systemic racism, and puts money into the hands of people and communities, not the wealthy few," the pledge reads.
Sunrise and over a dozen partners--including Communications Workers of America, Democracy for America, Indivisible, March For Our Lives, NDN Collective, United We Dream, and the Working Families Party--are encouraging constituents across the country to send letters calling on their federal elected officials to endorse the pledge.
\u201cWe can address the crises we face by creating millions of good union jobs to dismantle systemic racism, fight for economic equality & stop the climate crisis.\n \nThat's why I signed the #GoodJobsForAll pledge.\u201d— Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (@Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman) 1616689652
"We live in a moment of historic crises--a health crisis, an economic inequality crisis, a racial justice crisis, and a climate crisis that looms over it all," said Sunrise executive director Varshini Prakash in a statement Thursday. "With so much work to do building a better society that works for all of us, there's no reason anyone in the richest country in the history of the world should be unemployed, underemployed, or working a job that isn't in the public interest."
"That's why we're calling on every single member of Congress to take the Good Jobs for All pledge, demonstrating their commitment to enact policies that meet the scale of the crises we're facing and puts us on a path to a Green New Deal that guarantees a good job to anyone who wants one," she explained. "We're going to put on the pressure to make sure that they do. And if they don't, well then they're really gonna hear from us--we take fighting for good jobs and a liveable future seriously."
Markey--who, along with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), has led the push for a Green New Deal in Congress--said he was "proud" to commit to the pledge.
"The climate crisis poses an existential threat to our planet, but it also brings massive opportunity to redress historic injustices and build a better future for all. We can combat the worst effects of the climate crisis while creating millions of good union jobs at the same time," Markey noted. "With a Green New Deal, we can fight for environmental injustice, ignite a clean energy revolution across our country, invest in bold and green infrastructure projects, and put people back to work following this economic recession."
\u201cWorking #ForThePeople means fighting for their union jobs, combating climate change, and dismantling systemic racism \u2014 one step at a time. \n\nWe made that promise, and we're gonna keep it.\u201d— Adriano Espaillat (@Adriano Espaillat) 1616689534
Pressley, a Green New Deal co-sponsor, said Thursday that "establishing the legal right to a good job for every person will help address the current employment crisis, create the foundation for an equitable economic recovery, and ensure that we are able to meet the pressing challenges facing our communities."
"That's why I recently introduced a history-making resolution in Congress calling for a federal job guarantee, and it's why I'm proud to be among the first to sign the Good Jobs for All Pledge," she added, referencing the resolution she unveiled in February. The congresswoman expressed excitement about advancing "bold employment policies that ensure every person has access to a good job that pays a living wage" and putting people to work "addressing urgent priorities, like the climate crisis."
The roll-out of Sunrise's pledge comes after the group criticized Biden's reported plans to put forth a two-part $3 trillion infrastructure package. Sunrise press secretary Ellen Sciales--and other critics of the developing proposal--pointed out that even Sen. Joe Manchin, a conservative Democrat from West Virginia, has called for at least $4 trillion in spending.
The advocacy group is also backing the BUILD GREEN Infrastructure and Jobs Act, introduced last week by Markey and Ocasio-Cortez as well as Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Rep. Andy Levin (D-Mich.). The bill would invest $500 billion over 10 years in state, local, and tribal projects with the ultimate goal of a fully electric U.S. public transportation system.
This post has been updated to reflect that Sen. Bernie Sanders' serves as an independent.
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'Let's Do This!': Progressive Powerhouses Swiftly Endorse Nina Turner After She Announces House Run
Rep. Ro Khanna said that the former Ohio state senator "will bring a phenomenal commitment to a $15 minimum wage, Medicare for All, and free public college."
Dec 14, 2020
It's official--Nina Turner is running for Congress. The former Ohio state senator kicked off her campaign Tuesday for the House seat to be vacated by Rep. Marcia Fudge, who was selected for a Biden Cabinet post, and no sooner did she announce her candidacy than a parade of progressive powerhouses lined up to offer their support.
"[Nina] deeply cares for working families and she has the heart to be an effective, unwavering fighter for them in Congress. I am proud to endorse her candidacy."
--Sen. Bernie Sanders
Speaking to a capacity crowd of supporters--on Zoom, that is--Turner said that "what I want the people of Akron and Cleveland to know is that I know what it means to be counted out."
"I am running to ensure the people of Akron and Cleveland are always counted in," Turner pledged in the impassioned voice that has made her a favorite of progressive activists across the nation.
\u201cNina Turner for Congress https://t.co/Zu4L1F4xjD\u201d— Nina Turner (@Nina Turner) 1608056810
And across the nation, progressives were thrilled by Turner's run.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) moved swiftly to endore the woman who was a standout surrogate during his 2016 presidential run and his national campaign co-chair in 2020.
"I've gotten to know Nina over the last five years," Sanders tweeted. "She deeply cares for working families and she has the heart to be an effective, unwavering fighter for them in Congress. I am proud to endorse her candidacy."
\u201cI've gotten to know @ninaturner over the last five years. She deeply cares for working families and she has the heart to be an effective, unwavering fighter for them in Congress. I am proud to endorse her candidacy.\u201d— Bernie Sanders (@Bernie Sanders) 1608070364
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), another former Sanders campaign co-chair, was also quick to throw his support behind Turner, tweeting that she "will bring a phenomenal commitment to a $15 minimum wage, Medicare for All, and free public college."
\u201c.@ninaturner will bring a phenomenal commitment to a $15 minimum wage, Medicare for All, and free public college to Congress.\n\nI am all in for her. This is an endorsement of conviction for me.\u201d— Ro Khanna (@Ro Khanna) 1608057201
From national political figures and organizations to local leaders, the support kept pouring in following Turner's announcement.
"Senator Nina Turner has always had my back, and now I'm proud to have hers," tweeted Birmingham, Alabama Mayor Randall Woodfin. "Let's do this!"
Our Revolution, the pro-Sanders political action committee chaired by Turner from 2017 to 2019, and Democracy for America, were among the first groups to show love.
\u201cHELLO SOMEBODY! We are so excited to organize to elect one of our fierce, progressive leaders @ninaturner to the U.S. Congress! A true humanitarian fighting for everyone's right to live a good life. #OurRevolution #OrganizeToWin\u201d— Our Revolution (@Our Revolution) 1608052714
\u201c.@ninaturner headed to Congress would be awesome!! I am all for it!! \ud83d\ude00\ud83d\udc4f\u201d— Andrew Yang\ud83e\udde2\u2b06\ufe0f\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@Andrew Yang\ud83e\udde2\u2b06\ufe0f\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1607779201
\u201cWho else besides me is super exited about @ninaturner that is running for Congress!? \ud83d\udd25\ud83d\udd25\u201d— Paula Jean Swearengin (@Paula Jean Swearengin) 1607646442
It wasn't just fellow politicians and political organizations that were lining up to support Turner. Rapper and activist Killer Mike; actors and activists Danny Glover, Susan Sarandon, and Mark Ruffalo; and popular podcast host Charlamagne tha God were just some of the prominent progressives who offered their endorsements.
In a Monday interview with Politico, Turner a self-described "daughter of Cleveland," vowed to fight for single-payer healthcare, direct payments for coronavirus relief, a $15 minimum wage, student loan debt cancellation, and free college and trade school.
"Trying to make the Democratic Party better and insist very strongly that it answers to the cries of the people--to me that's what being a Democrat is, not just going along to get along," Turner asserted. "The partnership between President-elect [Joe] Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris shows that people can have their differences. ... [Harris] called out the vice president on his record on race with substance--very strongly, she did--and look at their partnership now."
The date of the special congressional election for Ohio's 11th District will be determined once Fudge--who last week was tapped by Biden for the post of secretary of housing and urban development--officially resigns her House seat.
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