This crew will never let us have a free and fair election again. It's over

[ProfessorPlum]

for democracy.

We need to think about solutions to this issue far beyond the ballot box and 2026/2028.

[Bayard]

1. Any elections are over

"You will never have to vote again." We are past the point where this ends well.

[Prairie Gates]

20. There will be elections, but they will be shams

There are elections in Turkey, Russia, and Hungary, but they are sham elections.

[Irish_Dem]

33. Yes pretend elections, everyone knows they are totally rigged.

[oldmanlynn]

69. If you sit home because there won't be any elections, then you're right

Americans will need to get out there in full force and vote way more than what ever happened in US history before. There won’t be no denying that.

[elocs]

75. If/when SS is slashed, eliminated, I will have no home & just trying to survive.

If Americans, Democrats & those on the Left need to get out in full force & vote the time to do that was last November when Trump could have been overwhelmed at the polls. But too many Democrats and those on the Left were complacent and overconfident that Harris would win. Choices, meet consequences.

[Walleye]

2. Did the fat lady sing already? I must've missed it.

[CrispyQ]

3. No, but Chris Murphy is basically saying the same thing--that we don't have until 2026. We only have a few months!!

I wish Schumer was half as worried as Murphy is!

[Scrivener7]

9. He needs to be minority leader

[Ars Longa]

22. Schumer is literally living in a bygone era in politics.

He is nostalgic for 1993, when he would address Rs as
"My esteemed colleague across the aisle "
He says he understands Trump and Republicans now, but
shows he seriously can't grasp that they would dishonor
the Constitution, Courts or decorum.

[CrispyQ]

23. Losing the trust of the House dems was a HUGE mistake, not to mention downright insulting.

Chris Murphy would be a much better minority leader for these times. He understands the peril we're in.

Jeffries, too, needs to show more fight, IMO. He's too mild mannered. I suspect that's just his demeanor but that's not what we need right now. We need someone to come out of the corner ready to land some punches.

[elocs]

44. Once Trump ignores Supreme Court rulings, ones we are looking for to save us,

it's all over but the singing, or the wailing. I bet the other free nations of the world are shaking their heads over our rapid collapse. We helped to save Europe from fascism but they won't be able to help us. Pride comes before the fall and most here never believed it could happen to us.

[Hope22]

79. True words.

If we expected to have an election in 2026 we would be having in depth discover regarding TSF’s praise of Elon. How he worked magic in PA and how he didn’t need anyone’s votes. We would be safeguarding the machine code and actually checking for free and fair elections. 2025 is flying by. We better get busy! R’s are not going to do it!

[elocs]

42. Sorry, you're just not paying attention. Everything is not going to turn out alright. n/t

[BannonsLiver]

51. The OP wants everyone in the sunken place with them.

No ideas.

No solutions.

No strategies.

Just despair and hopelessness. I feel a lot of pity toward them, frankly. It’s very sad.

[Walleye]

54. I refuse to be depressed. I went through a bout with that 20 years ago.

When my boyfriend died. I am not gonna let these assholes ruin my life, if I can help it

[BannonsLiver]

62. Absolutely. I believe you have the correct response.

It’s amazing so many people are willing to let Trump live rent free in their heads. Amazing, and quite pitiful. Defiance rather than submission, which is the spirit of the content in the OP, is much more preferable to surrendering in my view. It sounds like you have reached a similar conclusion.

[Walleye]

67. Well, I just hung up a hummingbird feeder today even though it's about a month early so I am feeling optimistic

[lame54]

53. Trump has declared singing fat ladies illegal

[Walleye]

55. Yep, way too woke. That's a good answer.

[msfiddlestix]

68. yeah, apparently so, . The Fat Slob is still screeching out of his orifices accompanied by a choir of zombies

At least you can be grateful you don't see it.

[GreenWave]

65. They need to see Rachel. Many demonstrations globally!

But perhaps pessimism is easier.

[John1956PA]

5. Trump will want to appoint Musk for overseeing the elections.

If that happens, on the day before the election, Musk will make a strikingly accurate prediction as to the eventual election results.

[Keepthesoulalive]

6. Wow

I wasn’t aware we are doomed and we’re wasting our time trying to save this country. I ain’t giving up.

[elocs]

45. An awareness that we are doomed doesn't mean we are giving up,

but that we are aware of the eventual outcome. "Into the valley of Death rode the 600".

[Keepthesoulalive]

70. My family lived through Native American genocide

Slavery, reconstruction and segregation and a whole lot of other oppressions, they never felt they were doomed. They kept fighting the good fight and they believed there would be a better day.
They knew they had to struggle and nothing was going to be given to them. They kept on fighting and believing like the people who are protesting now. We are not doomed nor are we on a suicide mission. Dead people help no one but the funeral business.

[bucolic_frolic]

7. If we're very close to that, how long can an illegitimate government stand?

For what seems a long time, but forever? Every dictator eventually falls or dies. So far, while the courts are taking a beating while judges are harassed, courts are still issuing rulings and some rulings are still obeyed. Lawlessness will only be allowed to go so far, which is to say until it no longer serves the interest of the sovereign. Then, things will change.

[Wiz Imp]

8. Everyone needs to listen to Bob Cesca

This is capitulation. Just because you've given up on democracy doesn't mean I should, too. What you ought to be saying is, "I'm doing my part to MAKE SURE there are free elections."

This is capitulation. Just because you've given up on democracy doesn't mean I should, too. What you ought to be saying is, "I'm doing my part to MAKE SURE there are free elections."

— Bob Cesca (@bobcesca.bsky.social) 2025-03-02T19:05:43.253Z

[doc03]

10. Not much hope when our leadership is stuck

in the last century.

[uponit7771]

11. Don't agree, brute forcing still works but need right direction

[elocs]

73. Brute forceMartial Law that will be brutal and untempered.

[stoned]

12. Go ahead and give up

roll over, play head. Some of us will never stop fighting.

[True Dough]

30. That's not really

"stoned" energy, but I like what I'm reading!

[DSandra]

13. People like you make the left look so weak

The right doesn't ever just give up, they persist until they win.

[ProfessorPlum]

15. I've got some bad news for you

the left is weak. We have huge numbers, but very very few leaders (especially ones that aren't immediately compromised by $).

What I am saying is that even if we have "elections" in 2026, Trusk is overwhelmingly likely to use voter suppression, etc. to ensure they "win".

[EdmondDantes_]

35. We heard the same claims since at least Bush 2

Nobody has yet managed to explain how they will rig the elections with anything that isn't hand waving magic.

[ProfessorPlum]

41. I don't know, except there is no rule of law left for Trusk and for the top GOP and billionaires.

they are free to act illegally and unconstitutionally with no consequence from law enforcement. In that environment, from a dictator that refused to concede electoral defeat without violence just four short years ago, what do you expect? He's just going to allow himself to be voted out of power?

[EdmondDantes_]

48. The problem you have is that he couldn't do it last time

For all his temper tantrums, he couldn't do it before. Elections are run by the states. Just saying he could do something when you don't/can't explain the mechanism isn't especially convincing. It sounds a lot like fear mongering which I've grown weary of whether it's the Red Cross pleading for blood, campaigns saying everything is doomed if I don't contribute right now, etc. It's a tired tactic.

[ProfessorPlum]

66. fair enough. But things are MUCH different this time.

there is no entity enforcing the rule of law anymore. And nothing to stop him.

[elocs]

50. There are good explanations as to how Musk used software to steal swing state elections.

With no magic hand waving needed.

[blubunyip]

71. Right

it's easily done. A relentless voter suppression campaign and a little numerical nudge in the swing states--and you can easily "find votes." Been done, and will be done again. Plenty of documentation that shows the pattern. Nobody is saying don't bother to work for candidates and for elections, but sitting around waiting for 2026-28 would be really stupid. Push back on every conceivable front is critical. We are dealing with lawless criminal sociopaths in the highest seats of power out to break the system. If we don't work against them and everything they stand for right now--yes, we'll have totally sham elections that nobody can ever trust again. Anyone who thinks the voting system is not full of holes and mischief has not been on the ground. Yes I'm in a swing state.

[EdmondDantes_]

74. No there's not, as evidence by the fact that you didn't present any

The nonsense about the "bullet ballots" fell apart. So has every other fantasy about it. Please feel free to provide actual evidence.

There's a reason not one credible Democrat raised concerns about the integrity of the vote.

[elocs]

78. Yes, there is and I heard the entire explanation on YouTube with evidence to back it up.

I didn't have the study at my fingertips when I posted. It was done with software by Musk.
However, I will post it after I place you on Ignore.

[BannonsLiver]

18. Agree. The defeatism is starting to be very on brand.

[elocs]

49. The Left is weak in that they are like herding cats.

I've voted exclusively for Democratic candidates for over 50 years now even when I didn't like them that well because they are Democrats. But no, too many Democrats are too noble and pure to do that. If they don't like our candidate they either refuse to vote or vote for a 3rd party candidate instead.

Republicans stick together and play the long game. Roe is a good example where those who were against it fought for 49 years to defeat it and never gave up. On the Left, we Democrats were convinced that Roe was a done deal and all but a guaranteed constitutional right which made us complacent and overconfident. exactly what we were in '24 and lost the election to Trump which has lost us our country. We were so certain that Harris would win because who, after all, would vote for Trump other than his maga cult?

[GoodRaisin]

14. If they take away enough things from their own voters it would seem they

will not wish to continue having elections. The question is how they would go about it and if they would get away with it.

[ProfessorPlum]

16. that's a good question. Another one is who would stop them? The media? The congress? The courts? the FBI?

they control all of those things - all of the usual levers of power.

[BannonsLiver]

17. So why bother posting here if it's "over"?

[ProfessorPlum]

19. BECAUSE, I don't want people here to just relax and think "we'll vote against them in 2026 and that will be enough"

It isn't going to be enough. It already is not enough. Voting in 2026 will not have the effect that we hope for - so we need to think about what we can do NOW and not rely on just voting in two years.

[BannonsLiver]

21. So it's a motivational thing, like Tony Robins,

Thanks for the explanation.

[ProfessorPlum]

24. i would have thought this sentence

"We need to think about solutions to this issue far beyond the ballot box and 2026/2028."

made that obvious, but you needed it spelled out I guess.

[BannonsLiver]

25. Well given the core demo of this forum it's unlikely many would be around to see it.

But since you’ve thrown in the towel as far as the present and near future, that probably doesn’t matter.

[ProfessorPlum]

26. Thrown in the towel? what the hell?

I'm suggesting to fight NOW, with means other than voting, and not wait to vote in Nov 2026. With this crew in charge our democracy is not going to work.

Please continue to misunderstand/misconstrue my meaning. it's fascinating

[onenote]

27. Can you offer some concrete ideas

Beyond “means other than voting”?

[ProfessorPlum]

31. write, fax, call, march, sit in, obstruct, delay, disobey, boycott, prepare, stock up, read, divest, speechify, mock,etc

just don't "do nothing" and wait for 2026.

[onenote]

57. And how, exactly, will any of those things, ensure the fair and free elections you have decided we aren't going to have?

[ProfessorPlum]

64. they won't. I wasn't talking about making the election process work.

[onenote]

83. So we're doomed? Not a message I will be spreading.

But to each their own, I guess.

[ProfessorPlum]

84. yes, you've made your strawman fight very obvious.

I hope you aren't too exhausted from battling all of that straw.

[onenote]

85. Not nearly as exhausted as you seem to be about the future.

[Irish_Dem]

34. A war cannot be won by denying reality.

The only way to win is to face the bad news head on.

[BannonsLiver]

40. Right. Throwing our hands up and quitting is not the way to go. Glad you agree.

[elocs]

56. That we recognize the inevitable does not mean we are quitting or giving up.

Most of us likely saw the dangers of what would happen if Trump were elected but too many other Democrats were complacent and convinced that Trump could never win, overconfident until he did win which got us to where we are now while Trump and Musk have been pretty ruthless and relentless in pursuing their goals.

[onenote]

58. I'm confused -- is it inevitable or not?

[elocs]

72. At this point, I believe it's inevitable. But that's not the same as quitting or giving up.

Those are 2 different things. Sadly, we on the Left have been too complacent until right now when it's really too late. Trump was right--he has delivered shock and awe.
Where did the 6 million votes go that Biden got against Trump in '20 but Harris didn't receive in '24? But we were overconfident that Harris would easily beat Trump.

[BannonsLiver]

59. So now what?

Not hearing anything with regard to solutions, strategies etc in this thread. It’s just “hey, join me in the sunken place!” and people congratulating themselves.

[Botany]

29. Trump tells Christians they won't have to vote after this election

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-tells-christians-they-wont-have-vote-after-this-election-2024-07-27/


At least some DU people understand that the last election was dirty.

[Torchlight]

32. I reject this defeatism

And also believe it's one tool used (unwittingly or not) of an attempted self-fulfilling prophecy.

[Irish_Dem]

36. Professor Plum, keep doing what you are doing, it is the right thing to do.

Unless people face reality, we are totally lost.

But denial is rampant and that is a big problem.

People think the same old messaging, tactics, strategy will work against ruthless psychopaths
who will kill us in our beds and get away with it.

You made it very clear in your OP that you were stating a reality and looking for solutions.

Also just an FYI you may want to consider in some of your responses to people.
I follow Mark Twain's advice, when you argue with a fool, you become one too.

Ignore the fools and keep doing good work.

[Irish_Dem]

37. Exactly, the billionaires, tech bros, GOP, Putin, Xi, Trump crime syndicate will never let us

have power again.

We are going to have to fight and fight hard.

[orangecrush]

38. Trump saying so

Doesn't make it so

[elocs]

39. Yet so many here are convinced that there will be midterm elections in /26

as well as a general election in '28. Even though Trump and Musk would have screwed tens of millions of Republican maga voters.
Trump and Musk are evil, but they're not stupid. Well Trump may be but he is a useful tool and figurehead for maga Musk at the moment.

If there is a sin that we Democrats and those on the Left are guilty of it is pride. We couldn't bring ourselves to believe what is happening to our country now and has happened in other nations could ever happen here because, after all, the Founding Fathers (our Gods) gave us all those checks and balances as well as a Supreme Court to prevent this from happening.

So sorry, Ben, you gave us a Republic but we couldn't keep it. Maybe when we are left a husk with millions of people dying and our resources raped they will walk away from us.
But America wasn't bad while it lasted. Too bad that too many of us were complacent and ignored the dangers facing us. I am an old man now but I think that those who died last year before this evil really came up on us are the lucky ones, especially if they were poor.

[ProfessorPlum]

43. I have exactly these feelings

too many people couldn't see the writing on the wall and that Trump was just an extension of Putin. We are now in the clutches of a malevolent foreign power that wants to remove us as a force on the world stage. And they are doing just that, to immiserate, sicken, and kill as many Americans as possible, with the willing help of the rich who will be the new provincial governors of this vassal state.

[elocs]

46. They prevail when hope has died which it has for too many of us.

And we have few that we can believe will successfully lead us out of this Valley of Death.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

47. Because not a single Democrat

will do anything at all to ensure a fair election, right? Because we are all so thoroughly cowed by DOGE, yes?

People here need to remember who exactly did all that protesting back in the 60s. We are a lot older now, but we are more than capable of smacking down the punks.

[regnaD kciN]

61. To be brutally honest...

…it only took the executions of four college students at Kent State for most of the rest of those in our generation to decide to “go back to our studies” and accept the status quo.

I suspect there will be a lot more than “four dead in Ohio” this time. As a matter of fact, I’m expecting the time to come soon where troops will be called in to open fire on all the participants in a peaceful protest. Are we willing to pay the price, and not back down? Maybe; it might turn out that we decide that we’ve had long enough lives and are ready, this time, to lay them down for our cause.

The thing is, I’m confident the current regime will eventually fall. But it might take a lot longer than we might hope, and we will have to resolutely keep up the struggle until it does. And we probably also have to realize that we can’t put the toothpaste back in the tube – the result of all this can’t end in a “return to normalcy” where everyone agrees to go back to the same rules, with a promise that, this time, we’ll all honor them. No, the U.S.A. that emerges from this will have to be structured differently, to ensure this never can happen again. And it might be that the final result is that there will be no U.S.A. at all.

[tritsofme]

60. This crew doesn't run elections, states do. Governors like Pritzker aren't just going to "let" Trump fuck with elections

in their states. This defeatism is nonsense.

[questionseverything]

82. Reality winner went to prison so we would know

Russia was in many states elections apparatus, including Illinois, our governor didn’t know, nobody did

How do you expect our government to handle hackers that they don’t know are there?

No one can “ oversee” electronic impulses….

Last election, hand counted paper ballots might of made a difference but some people here on du argued against the cost, the time or just looking bad

[Dan]

63. Okay Professor, please tell me when it's Killing time.

[RandySF]

76. No it's not over.

[._.]

77. I know.

I said my good bye's to the Republic right after the election.

[Lonestarblue]

80. Trump intends to be dictator for life, and the Project 2025 administration also intends to stay in place for life.

Either Vance will take over when Trump dies or is removed because of dementia or someone chosen by the Heritage Foundation leaders will. I do not expect another honest election, as I believe 2024 was not either.

[JCMach1]

81. We will need to break the algorithm to have real

Elections any more. They are literally programming people through social media.

[William769]

86. Doesn't the first part of your OP

Cancel out the second part?