Fascism IS Happening Here

The hideous ICE murders in Minneapolis of the so-called “domestic terrorists” have become more common — and blatant. I am reminded of Sinclair Lewis’s 1935 novel “It Can’t Happen Here.” The story was about the United States evolving from a representative democracy into a totalitarian autocracy.

This concept was considered impossible, even though it was happening in Europe and Asia at the time. I am increasingly afraid that it is happening here, and we are in a struggle to keep our representative democracy.

We have a lot to do to save that democracy.

How has this come to be?

First, it didn’t just happen in 2024. It has been brewing for several years. Its roots can be traced to the takeover of the Republican Party by an expanding number of very rich businesspeople in regulated industries such as media, commerce, manufacturing, and technology, which span the country. This movement began during the Reagan years, gained momentum in response to the Clinton administration, and has metastasized steadily since then.

Although Donald Trump didn’t start this movement, his 2016 election allowed it to move in and begin remaking the Republican Party in its own image and interests. The movement could sweep up the party’s leaders and members into its image and interests (think Marco Rubio), or sweep them out of its way (think Mitt Romney).

Alongside this evolution, the Federalist Society, a conservative judicial reform movement, has pushed for the nomination of conservative judges at all levels. It has allowed Republican administrations to appoint judges (and Supreme Court Justices) throughout the judicial branch.

Republican totalitarianism

In the 10 years since the 2016 election, the Republican Party has descended into totalitarianism under the control of the super-rich without effective checks and balances. This transformation has led to the supremacy of the executive branch at the federal level and the voluntary self-neutering of Congressional authority under compliant Republican control.

State governments elected in the “red states” seem willing to follow the lead of the national Party, apparently fearing the Dear Leader’s vengeance in party primaries, to kill political careers of “primaried.” This obeisance works in large states like Texas and Florida, as well as in smaller states like Wyoming and Louisiana.

The Republicans have abrogated their responsibility to work with Democrats to find opportunities that will strengthen, not weaken, our democracy.

After his return to power last year, Trump and his minions in the Executive and Legislative branches have moved decisively toward an authoritarian style of governing. They have faced inconsequential opposition from the Democratic congressional minority and halting judicial attempts to block these actions. Judicial opposition has taken the form of actions, reviews, trials, appeals, and the like, with little actual consequence. Effective legislative opposition has eluded the Republican Party in this period for many reasons, which make their slim majorities in both houses a fatal barrier to effective action.

Your Next Steps

Steps we Democrats need to take to ensure electoral victories this year and 2028:

“An Arizona We Can Afford” Platform: Embrace policies that will appeal to middle-of-the-road voters and avoid policies that will repel them. The Democrats’ winning issues are affordability, public education, and healthcare.

Participation: Ask your local Democratic District (LD) how to help you with outreach to grow voter participation. Inquire about getting appointed as a precinct committee person and talk to voters directly. Click to find your local District and then Google the Democratic LD where you live.

Advocacy: Look for and oppose attempts by Republicans everywhere to make it harder — or even impossible — for you to vote (a favorite Republican action). Join an activity listed on Tucson Take Action.

I know this is preaching to the choir, but folks, we all need to SHOUT OUT this year!