By Laura Gamboa, Assistant Professor at Norte Dame University
Published in Foreign Affairs
The following is an excerpt.
“For democracy to survive, it must be protected. In the past few decades, in countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Poland, opposition groups pushed back successfully against leaders with authoritarian tendencies early in the process of democratic backsliding, when they still had institutional levers to pull. But in other cases, such as Bolivia, El Salvador, Turkey, and Venezuela, oppositions either failed to act with sufficient urgency or used tactics that lost them their institutional levers, gradually hindering their ability to resist.
In the United States, the opposition’s response to the threat so far has been underwhelming. Reeling from electoral defeat and shocked by the blitz of the Trump administration’s power grabs, politicians and civil society groups are uncertain about the path forward and hesitant to take bold steps.
This delay is costly. If American democracy is to prevail, pro-democracy forces must follow the handbook that has enabled oppositions to stop would-be autocrats in other countries. They should coordinate to defend and expand their institutional powers while they have them, wield them to obstruct Trump’s authoritarian agenda, strengthen grassroots resistance efforts, and protect the activists, officeholders, and other individuals exposed to retribution from the administration. The alternative may be that democracy slips away while they wait.”
From The Peaceful Solution:
A Bold Step
We, the people, still have the power of the purse. No one can control our spending, or lack of spending. The other peaceful options are failing. Time is of the essence. We must go on a spending strike until the business community stops supporting His Royal Heinous and the politicians who enable him.
Stop participating. Nearly 70% of the U.S. economy is driven by consumer spending. You and me. Hobble the economy and the stock market.
Economic warfare is the only thing the oligarchs, the business community will understand and act on. Call it a Surreptitious General Strike (Quiet Quitting). Go to work, do as little as possible. Stop spending money except on essentials. Quit feeding the corporate beast that supports HRH.
I am reading *How Democracies Die.* It is devastating. Written in 2017, it is prescient in outlining the exact steps being taken by the Project 2025 regime and its minions (in and out of the WH) today. Depressing, but important to know, so we can organize to resist the loss of our democracy.
There is no pit in Hell deep enough for those who refuse to help the Ukrainians. There is no excuse for the fuckery this regime pulls. First the carrot, then the stick. Humiliate the President of their country, then pull back military assistance. Threaten Russia with sanctions and then do fuck all.
There is nothing on earth the Ukrainian people cannot withstand but they cannot stand alone.
Lol Ken, is there anything you need to public to get you to help you with your journey? If so, please let us know. I'm sure many people would donate to your support.👍👍
And meanwhile, Russia is in serious trouble. I recommend again YouTube's "Jason Jay Smart" and his reporting how successful Ukraine has been inside Russia and the resulting collapse of the Russian military and economy. Check it out. And mahalo Ken for the great coverage.
We certainly could learn from our Ukrainian friends in how to fight authoritarianism.
How to Save a Democracy
By Laura Gamboa, Assistant Professor at Norte Dame University
Published in Foreign Affairs
The following is an excerpt.
“For democracy to survive, it must be protected. In the past few decades, in countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Poland, opposition groups pushed back successfully against leaders with authoritarian tendencies early in the process of democratic backsliding, when they still had institutional levers to pull. But in other cases, such as Bolivia, El Salvador, Turkey, and Venezuela, oppositions either failed to act with sufficient urgency or used tactics that lost them their institutional levers, gradually hindering their ability to resist.
In the United States, the opposition’s response to the threat so far has been underwhelming. Reeling from electoral defeat and shocked by the blitz of the Trump administration’s power grabs, politicians and civil society groups are uncertain about the path forward and hesitant to take bold steps.
This delay is costly. If American democracy is to prevail, pro-democracy forces must follow the handbook that has enabled oppositions to stop would-be autocrats in other countries. They should coordinate to defend and expand their institutional powers while they have them, wield them to obstruct Trump’s authoritarian agenda, strengthen grassroots resistance efforts, and protect the activists, officeholders, and other individuals exposed to retribution from the administration. The alternative may be that democracy slips away while they wait.”
From The Peaceful Solution:
A Bold Step
We, the people, still have the power of the purse. No one can control our spending, or lack of spending. The other peaceful options are failing. Time is of the essence. We must go on a spending strike until the business community stops supporting His Royal Heinous and the politicians who enable him.
Stop participating. Nearly 70% of the U.S. economy is driven by consumer spending. You and me. Hobble the economy and the stock market.
Economic warfare is the only thing the oligarchs, the business community will understand and act on. Call it a Surreptitious General Strike (Quiet Quitting). Go to work, do as little as possible. Stop spending money except on essentials. Quit feeding the corporate beast that supports HRH.
This is how we can stop the fascist takeover.
I am reading *How Democracies Die.* It is devastating. Written in 2017, it is prescient in outlining the exact steps being taken by the Project 2025 regime and its minions (in and out of the WH) today. Depressing, but important to know, so we can organize to resist the loss of our democracy.
Please help us Spread the Word!, far, wide, and quickly, before the fascists takedown our means of communication.
Thank you Ken. Be safe. Bless you and Ukraine. 💙
There is no pit in Hell deep enough for those who refuse to help the Ukrainians. There is no excuse for the fuckery this regime pulls. First the carrot, then the stick. Humiliate the President of their country, then pull back military assistance. Threaten Russia with sanctions and then do fuck all.
There is nothing on earth the Ukrainian people cannot withstand but they cannot stand alone.
MUNDUS SINE CAESARIBUS
Slàva Ukrayíni 🇺🇦
Release the Epstein Files
I don't hear anybody asking that guy shooting down drones "how many push ups can you do?"
We are the laughing stock of the civilized world. I’m sickened by it. We used to be the home of the brave and meant it. Now it’s cosplay.
Yeah, the home of the brave is Ukraine.
America's implosion has been catastrophic for Ukraine. I can only imagine what kind of support a President Harris could have offered.
😔
Thank you for your reporting. I only wish ALL Americans could read these reports. Bless you.
Thank you for your reporting.
Thank you, Mr. Harbaugh, for this one. If only Americans en masse would see and respond with a fraction of their resilience.
Absolutely impressive commentary and a reminder of the reality of uninvited aggression by indifferent dictators.
Thanks Ken for your bravery.
US corporate media is afraid to report this.
Thank you for your efforts and service. May you 🙏 and and all Ukrainians be well and victorious.
SLAVA UKRAINI
Lol Ken, is there anything you need to public to get you to help you with your journey? If so, please let us know. I'm sure many people would donate to your support.👍👍
Most important for Americans to understand. There is still such obliviousness
And meanwhile, Russia is in serious trouble. I recommend again YouTube's "Jason Jay Smart" and his reporting how successful Ukraine has been inside Russia and the resulting collapse of the Russian military and economy. Check it out. And mahalo Ken for the great coverage.
I have the utmost respect for President Z and the Ukranian people. I pray this war ends for them soon.