What does resistance look like? It's not pretty

I have some friends who still insist that there's not much difference between the Democrats and the Republicans; both protect an oligarchic system that suppresses "ordinary working people," blah blah. I'm so sick of this line I could scream. Because it's just not true. Every single one of the members of the Republican caucus of both houses has, 98-100%, capitulated to the takeover of their party by an illiberal if not outright fascist faction. This faction doesn't just talk about ignoring the rule of law, they are doing it. But these legislators, and almost all in their party at state and local levels as well, have signified their acquiescence in the complete takeover of governance, with no checks or balances, no constraint by the separation of powers, nothing. I regard the Republicans today as pretty much what their forebears in the 50s said the Communists were: a sham party that doesn't run in elections in order to participate in a democratic republican government, but one that intends, like Orban in Hungary, to use the foolish people who vote them into office to end democracy in our country. (In actual fact, in the 1950s, there were hardly any Communists in the US, and it was the far right, even then, that represented the biggest threat to the continuity of our Constitutional system). 

We cannot pretend to "normal" civility. This party is the enemy. No Democrats are trying to subvert the Constitution or take power unilaterally. That's them. Since we don't want to do that, we don't have, and don't want to have, the tools they are using. They are traitors, but our only weapons against them, if we want to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution (y'know, what the president is supposed to do)... are to try to use the law to protect our institutions, and, failing that, peaceful civil disobedience. We are not going to get through this without having to put ourselves and our way of life on the line. Peaceful resistance, but resistance. Things will get worse. The courts may be a bulwark, here and there, but we've already seen we can't rely on them, and the fascists will try to ignore them and act as if they weren't there. I have little confidence even the Supreme Court will protect the separation of powers, or that, if they do so order, that these people won't just throw it all down and defy them. Then what? As recently as since the election I've argued with people who've said, well, they won't go THAT far. I say: don't bet on it. I think Trump and some of his enablers will go that far, and it's clear to me that there is no backstop of resistance in their party. None. Zip. They will go along with a complete fascist takeover and smile and say they have concerns. (Looking at you, traitoress Collins). 

Everyone's making a big deal of the DOJ "Thursday Night Massacre." And yes, it is somewhat encouraging that there are, even among recent Trump appointees, some who won't go so far as outright corruption of the judicial process. But it's a skirmish in a big fight we're losing. We, and I mean any former Republicans who "get it" as well as Democrats and Independents who don't want to see our country go down the path of authoritarianism beyond recourse, have to fight everything. Accept no compromise of principle or the rule of law. Concede nothing. Give them no easy pathways. Organize peaceful resistance and choose our battles (for example, pay your taxes; don't give them an excuse to selectively enforce that law against you). But even us old people are going to have to be ready to take to the streets. I wish it were not this way. But it is. 

We need a shadow cabinet. A shadow agenda. A playlist. And organization. We suck at this, but the time is now so we have to start getting good at it. We have the advantage that, so far, at least, their fascism hasn't become extremely violent, but even that is not impossible, and if you think it is, you have not read your history. Even recent history. The US has many advantages, and we haven't had widespread domestic violence in over 150 years. But history is not kind to those who let themselves think "it can't happen here." 

Peace. Courage.

.............

RESIST. BOYCOTT.
DEMAND IMPEACHMENT