Schumer, AOC and the MUCH Needed Democratic Civil War
There are some Democrats that are actually built for this moment; but they're constantly sidelined
The inertia inside of the Democratic Party has been palpable for years. With very few bright spots like the 8 years of Obama; which frankly feels more like a fever dream and/or mirage these days than anything else. The Democrats lack of succession planning have left the party to be led by 20th Century “moderates” in a time of 21st Century extremism on steroids (or ketamine). Then came the first signs of possible change following Donald Trump’s win in 2016—the 2018 midterms that ushered Democrats back into power with a new crop of young women of color in the Democratic ranks known as the Squad, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Rep. Ilhan Omar and Rep Rashida Talib.
In 2018, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was thrust into the national spotlight following her unexpected primary win against 10-term incumbent former Rep. Joseph Crowley. At just 29 years old AOC became the youngest woman and first member of the Democratic Socialists of America to be elected. Since then she has won re-election in 2020, 2022 and 2024. Her questioning precision at committee hearings and social media savvy have shown her to be not only a brilliant politician; but also a voice of the times. You would think that what she and the rest of the Squad brought to the table amid Trump’s first term would be celebrated and welcomed as the next generation’s stars and leaders of the Party; but no. They were chastised and admonished from the Establishment for not adhering to their unspoken rules for newbies—better to be seen and not heard. So, while they endured racist and sexist attacks for daring to go toe to toe with fascists—Dem leadership was nowhere to be found.
Fast-forward to present day when America is faced once again with another Trump term; but this time the guardrails have been ripped off and the breaks seared. The finger wagging “adults in the room” mentality that Democrats are loathed for doesn’t cut it, particularly when you’re trying to negotiate with hyped up arsonist sitting atop dry kindling twirling flame throwers. The fact is the days of earnest disagreement that is followed by shared bourbon and a steak at Capitol Grille are over and yet Senator Chuck Schumer thinks he can reason his way out of fascism by capitulating what leverage Democrats have for the sake of staving off a government shutdown.
NEWSFLASH—the government began shutting down the day Donald Trump was inaugurated and he gave the keys to our institutions to a womanizing drug addict masquerading as some kind of savant while everything he touches turns to ash. Elon Musk and Donald Trump have BEEN shutting down the government over the last several weeks. They have fired damn near half the federal workforce, rolling back environmental protections, planning to shutter the Department of Education all while pushing a bill that will gut social security, medicaid and more. So, what is it exactly is it that Schumer is trying to save?! Well, for those keeping score at home it seems the stock market is rebounding at the moment—which makes me think Chuck is more beholden to his donors than democracy.
Right now, Democrats in the House feel “betrayed” as AOC said on CNN, by Schumer’s decision to bend the knee to MAGA for the sake of “process and decorum”. It seems Schumer’s decision has set off a flurry to the point that even Nancy Pelosi has told Democratic Senators to vote against Schumer, and when Leader Jeffries was asked if it’s time for Chuck to step aside he said “next question” rather than rally to his defense. The writing has been on the wall for quite sometime. The 20th Century Dems like Schumer were NOT and are NOT built for this moment. This is Guerrilla-Warfare style politics now and no one has time to stand in line waiting for their turn to lead when the country is being torn apart by a rabid cult. If you are not utilizing a “by any means necessary” playbook at this moment than you need to go, and let those with the vision and the voice take center stage. We’re either marching forward or we’re standing still and right now Schumer is the roadblock that needs to be removed.
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schumer has sold his soul and needs to go. i am so angry at his betrayal of the country and the people.
You make a point that the government is shut-down anyway. Democrats are not capable as they have bended the knee for generations. A second American revolution is may be brewing and none of them may last.