Continuing our podcasts, we have finished our review of what happened such that the democrats lost the 2024 elections so badly. We should start to consider how to counter the possible attacks of the new government on our values.
The voters want a change and often either did not vote or voted because of the perception that the government does not function to help them. So we, first and foremost, we should approach this with humility and a keen sense of listening.
It is true that are going to have a congress with authoritarian views and many have talked about fascism appearing. The election brought out an almost religious fervor conversion, And we can push back against these option:.
- Learn lessons from history,
- We know the President elect vilifies certain people.
- We should remember we have BLM, women, and LBGT movements to fight with us.
- We need to be proud anti-fascism activists.
- We need to build alliances from the center and left of politics.
- Do not defend the status quo unless it has results that benefit people.
As an example, let’s not reflexively reject Trumps nominations for cabinet positions. The following have been suggested:
- Secretary of state: Marco Rubio
- Attorney general: Matt Gaetz
- HHS secretary: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
- U.N. ambassador: Elise Stefanik
- Defense secretary: Pete Hegseth
- National security adviser: Michael Waltz
- Director of national intelligence: Tulsi Gabbard
- EPA administrator: Lee Zeldin
- Homeland security secretary: Kristi Noem
Many of these have extreme views and/or no governing experience as follows:
- Marco Rubio: is a China hawk but has extensive foreign policy experience.
- Matt Gaetz: has faced several investigations into his conduct.
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will take on “food complex and drug companies but is anti-vax.
- Pete Hegseth: co-host of “Fox & Friends Weekends” and a veteran
- Michael Waltz: a China hawk, and skeptic of more aid to Ukrainas it fights Russia’s invasion.
- Tulsi Gabbard: no experience in intelligence and opposes U.S. intervention in the war in Ukraine.
- Lee Zeldin: opposes essential protections for clean air and water.
- Kristi Noem: said Native tribes in South Dakota benefit from the drug cartel industry.
As a Democrat I can find lots of problems with these nominations, but based on the above reasonings, I will wait until they demonstrate by the ACTIONS that they are against our values. Examples:
Inflation:and jobs
- Will Rubio allow Trump to impose more tariffs and cause the price of food and other items to increase?
- Will Kristi Noem’s border actions cause jobs to go unfilled and effect peoples pocket book?
- Will Trump’s cabinet retain his 2017 tax cut which would allow more wealthy Americans to evade the taxes they owe.
Thus, we will wait and be vigilant for the work of these nominees and how they will or will not serve the interest of disillusioned voter.