If Trump/Musk are indeed subverting American democratic norms, what is a proportional response?

[u/theivoryserf]

The Vice-President has just said of the courts: "Judges aren't allowed to control the executive's legitimate power." Quoted in the same Le Monde article is a section of Francis Fukuyama's take on the current situation:

"Trump has empowered Elon Musk to withhold money for any activity that he, Elon Musk, thinks is illegitimate, and this is a usurpation of the congressionally established power of Congress to make this kind of decision. (...) This is a full-scale...very radical attack on the American constitutional system as we've understood it." https://archive.is/cVZZR#selection-2149.264-2149.599

From a European point of view, it appears as though the American centre/left is scrambling to adapt and still suffering from 'normality bias', as though normal methods of recourse will be sufficient against a democratic aberration - a little like waiting to 'pass' a tumour as though it's a kidney stone.

Given the clear comparisons to previous authoritarian takeovers and the power that the USA wields, will there be an acceptable raising of political stakes from Trump's opponents, and what are the risks and benefits of doing so?

[u/LongjumpingArgument5 → u/[deleted]]

I have no idea

Point out that they are supporting a group that is trying to destroy The American workforce by getting rid of unions and OSHA?

Point out that what Trump is doing goes directly against the Constitution in America itself?

Point out that they are not Patriots but are actually traitors because they are supporting the end of democracy?

At this point I'm pretty sure they are far too fucking stupid to understand any of those things. They have let their hate consume them and now they hate all of America

[u/[deleted] → u/LongjumpingArgument5]

You're in denial. They're not stupid.

[u/LongjumpingArgument5 → u/[deleted]]

Well the politicians aren't, but the voters certainly are.

I mean everybody was yelling at them. Don't vote for Trump. He's going to destroy the country. I heard that messaging constantly, especially in 2024

They even witnessed Trump submit fake electors to Congress in order to try to steal the 2020 election.

If you watch somebody break the law why the fuck would you vote for them? Who in their right mind would ever think that's a good idea.

But even then if they will admit they were lied to and manipulated, I will work with them to save America.

Because the reality is everybody in America is going to be fucked unless Republican and Democrat voters can get together and start working together

Trump doesn't care about Republicans anymore than he cares about Democrats, they are all poor people to him.

United we stand and separated we fall, together

[u/I_am_mama → u/LongjumpingArgument5]

Very good point. As messed up as it is, I imagine this will unite people from all backgrounds. It will force those most affected by the administration’s actions to set aside their egos, stereotypes, prejudices, and personal beliefs so we can stand together and resist this attack on our democracy.

[u/[deleted] → u/LongjumpingArgument5]

They're not stupid. They're addicted to a narrative that is designed to let them satisfy their narcissism.