The Struggle for the Soul of America: We Are the Ones We’ve Been Waiting For

Posted on February 24, 2025 by Author: Bruce Berlin

American democracy is on life support. Trump, Musk and their Republican sycophants are doing everything they can to kill it and remake our country into an autocracy akin to Russia and Hungary. Trump is getting more cozy with Putin and now calls himself “the king.”[1]

In fact, there is newly revealed evidence that Trump has been a Russian asset since 1987. Reporter Craig Unger explains in his new book, American Kompromat, that Yuri Shvets, a former KGB spy confirmed on the record that Russian intelligence had been working Trump for decades. Shvets noted that Trump’s “most important characteristics (were) low intellect coupled with hyperinflated vanity.”[2]

While many Republicans will continue to stand by Trump, this latest revelation may be the tipping point for some GOP members of Congress, as well as many rank-and-file party supporters. They were already nervous about Trump’s siding with Putin over Ukraine’s President Zelensky. He has called Zelensky a dictator and accused him of starting the war with Russia, both of which are outright lies.[3]

Meanwhile, more and more Americans are finally realizing who Trump truly is and what he’s really about. The resistance to Trump’s unprecedented attack on our democracy is building. But it must grow into a massive democracy movement quickly before it’s too late. Nothing is more critical for thwarting Trump’s authoritarian coup than each of us getting involved in this movement now.

Last Monday on Presidents’ Day, an extensive national “Stop the Coup” rally brought a great number of Americans to each of the fifty state capitals to protest Trump’s efforts to wipe out our democracy.[4]

A series of boycotts are now being planned to demonstrate the power of the people and force large corporations and financial institutions to hopefully withdraw their support for Trump and his regime. (See https://www.yahoo.com/news/boycott-dates-upcoming-045900701.html?fr=yhssrp_catchall)

The first boycott, a national “24-hour Economic Blackout” on February 28^th, calls for all Americans to buy nothing for 24 hours, except essentials from small, local merchants, if absolutely necessary.[5] This will hit corporations where it hurts the most – in their pocketbooks – and alert them to the power of the people. Longer boycotts of specific corporations will reinforce this message over the next few months.

As the resistance grows, so will the chances our nation’s democracy will prevail. Robert Reich, professor of Public Policy at UC Berkeley and former Secretary of Labor under President Bill Clinton, recently provided 10 reasons for modest hope for beating back Trump’s authoritarian takeover. Among them were such good news as “Musk’s popularity is plunging” and the “federal courts are hitting back.”(See https://robertreich.substack.com/p/ten-reasons-for-optimism?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=365422&post_id=157206451&utm_campaign=email-post title&isFreemail=true&r=2saap&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email)

We, the people have the power to stop Trump’s coup. But it will take all of us.

Join the resistance. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.

(Note: I will only be publishing my blog occasionally for the next several months so that I can complete my memoir, From Camden to Kathmandu.)

Bruce Berlin, J.D.

A retired, public sector ethics attorney, Berlin is a former U.S. Institute of Peace Fellow and the founder and former executive director of The Trinity Forum for International Security and Conflict Resolution. He is also the author of Breaking Big Money’s Grip on America. (See breakingbigmoneysgrip.com.). Contact him at breakingbigmoneysgrip@gmail.com.

Subscribe to this blog at https://breakingbigmoneysgrip.com/my-blog-3/.

[1] https://people.com/donald-trump-calls-himself-king-as-white-house-shares-fake-time-cover-11683451

[2] https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/ex-kgb-agent-trump-russian-asset-mueller-putin-kompromat-unger-book.html

[3] https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5158569-trump-zelensky-putin-ukraine-russia/

[4] https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/us-trump-protests-1.7450890

[5] https://www.newsweek.com/nationwide-economic-blackout-planned-boycott-dei-changes-2029548; and https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2025/02/12/national-no-spend-day-economic-blackout-amazon-walmart/78410711007/)

The Struggle for the Soul of America: Autocrats vs. Democrats in the America’s Bowl

Posted on February 14, 2025 by Author: Bruce Berlin

Now that thePhiladelphiaEagles have defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in theSuper Bowl, the American people need to turn their full attention to the critical contest for the heart and soul of our country. At this point, the autocrats led by President Trump are beating the democrats for control of our nation by using executive orders and an ultrarich, reckless rookie, Elon Musk.

Tension is mounting as we get closer to an all-out constitutional crisis. Sometime fairly soon, Autocrats-in-Chief Trump and Musk are going to defy a court ruling in clear violation of the Constitution. Such a case will quickly land in the Supreme Court.

If the Court rules in favor of Trump, he will have the green light to be the full-blown fascist autocrat he’s longed to be. But, if the Court sides with the parties advocating for the rule of law, i.e., the Constitution, Trump may very well ignore the Court’s decision and continue his destruction of the federal government.

In fact, Trump and Musk have already been sidestepping the legal process in their firing of federal employees, including 17 inspectors general, a commissioner from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and anyone in the Justice Department who worked on the January 6^th case against Trump, among others.

The Democrats and the millions of Americans who believe in the form of government that has been the foundation of our country for 250 years are finally coming to grips with what’s at stake. We, the people, must defeat the autocrats and win back the hearts and minds of the American people. The big question is: What will it take to beat those who are on a fast track to fundamentally transform our country into an authoritarian state?

Time is running short. We must act with urgency. Trump’s radical moves to destroy our democracy must be thwarted soon before it’s too late.

Mounting a strong defense, the guardians of democracy have filed over 40 lawsuits that have temporarily paused many of the president’s initiatives that:

Revoke universal birthright citizenship,

Freeze trillions of federal funding, and

Strip away job protections from thousands of federal employees, and much more.

Pro-democracy forces are shining a light on Trump’s efforts that will endanger Americans’ lives by raising the costs of everyday goods and eliminating consumer protections against fraud, price gauging, financial predators, and scammers. Democrats need to focus their message on economic security and opportunity for working people and the middle class. They must make a strong contrast between their policy priorities and the Republicans’ main agenda of tax cuts for the wealthy and large corporations.

Still, only we, the people, can stop Trump from making America into an authoritarian state. A mass movement of Americans from across the political spectrum is building to thwart his attack on democracy.

On Presidents’ Day, Monday, February 17, a national “Stop the Coup” protest is happening in all 50 states.

(See https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/754402/)

On February 28^th, a national “24-hour Economic Blackout” will target major retailers like Amazon, Walmart and Best Buy. It is designed to demonstrate consumers’ impact and push for economic change. (See https://www.newsweek.com/nationwide-economic-blackout-planned-boycott-dei-changes-2029548; https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2025/02/12/national-no-spend-day-economic-blackout-amazon-walmart/78410711007/)

It will take all of us. Join the resistance. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.

(Note: I will only be publishing my blog occasionally for the next several months so that I can complete my memoir, From Camden to Kathmandu.)

Bruce Berlin, J.D.

Subscribe to this blog at https://breakingbigmoneysgrip.com/my-blog-3/.

The Struggle for the Soul of America: Where Do We Go From Here?

Posted on January 3, 2025 by Author: Bruce Berlin

As we begin 2025, many of us have not yet recovered from the devastating results of the November election, putting Trump and the Republicans in control of the federal government. We are sad, angry, and/or despondent. How could the American people choose a convicted felon, a man liable for sexual abuse, as their president?

We are up against a clever con artist and habitual liar who seeks autocratic power and constantly strives to better his own well-being over that of our country. While it may be hard for many of us to come to grips with this very troubling situation, we must be clear about where we are and accept that this is the hand we’ve been dealt. Only then can we determine the best way to proceed in the new year.

First, we need to regain a sense of personal safety and security. That involves establishing regular self-care endeavors like hiking and other exercise routines, connecting with family and friends, or some other activities we enjoy. We will have a difficult time aiding others or our country if we do not take positive actions that lift our spirits and provide a feeling that our lives are not in constant jeopardy.

Second, we must recognize that we are not alone. Millions of our fellow Americans feel despair, hopelessness and/or fear regarding what Trump and his MAGA friends intend to do. To help alleviate these feelings, I joined an affinity group. Essentially, it’s a fairly small number of people with a common interest or purpose who work together to help each other as well as others at-risk and related efforts. I suggest you join one, too. If you can’t find one, create one with your friends and colleagues. We need to stick together.

Third, we must understand that collective action counters the feelings of isolation and is generally more effective than acting alone. The more people get involved, the greater the impact. Together, we can make a difference.

Fourth, we must be in this for the long haul. Overcoming Trump and his billionaire buddies will not happen overnight. We must build a viable democracy movement and be prepared for an extended struggle against the forces of autocracy.

Fifth, we must develop a compelling vision of a revived American democracy that will rally the vast majority of our fellow citizens to come together and accomplish it. This vision would include good-paying jobs, quality healthcare/medicare for all, affordable housing, a sustainable environment, and immigration reform, and more.

Finally, we each have to decide. Are we going to sit by and allow this hostile takeover of our country to destroy our democracy? Or, are we going to stand up and fight for what we believe is right? Many of us have enough resources that we would not suffer much, at least for a while, under the Trump region. Others will feel a greater impact sooner. But, eventually, we will all feel the heavy burden of a right-wing autocracy.

Do we have the strength and courage to do what we know is the right course to take? I sure hope so.

(Note: I will only be publishing my blog occasionally for the next several months so that I will have more time to complete my memoir, From Camden to Kathmandu.)

Bruce Berlin, J.D.

Subscribe to this blog at https://breakingbigmoneysgrip.com/my-blog-3/.

The Struggle for the Soul of America: Biden, Harris and the Dems Blew It

Posted on November 8, 2024 by Author: Bruce Berlin

Trump was the worst candidate the Republicans could have run, and Harris still couldn’t win. He had so much baggage, yet the Dems couldn’t beat him. Why?

Let’s start at the beginning. In 2020, candidate Joe Biden declared he would be a bridge to a new generation of leadership. The expectation was that once Biden dethroned Trump, he would not run for a second term, especially since he would be 82 by the time that term began.[1] By 2023, approximately three-quarters of the country, including a decided majority of his fellow Democrats, thought Biden was too old to serve another term as president. The American people wanted him to step aside at the end of his first term.[2]

Last January, when the 2024 presidential primaries began, Biden’s approval rating stood at 38%, while 47% of Americans disapproved of his job performance.[3] Yet, most of his party supported him, and no prominent Democrat challenged him in the Democratic primaries. By April of this year, more than 60% of Americans disapproved of Biden’s performance, while only 35% approved.[4] Still, his party stood by him.

It was not until late June after Biden’s disastrous performance during his first debate with Trump that Democrats began to seriously question whether the president should run for a second term.[5] Nevertheless, despite his age and a horrible debate, Biden insisted that he would stay in the race and defeat Trump in November.[6] Finally, almost a month later, the president reluctantly withdrew from the race at his party’s urging and immediately endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris.[7]

With less than four months till the election and Biden’s endorsement of Harris, the Democratic Party had little choice but to nominate his VP for president at its August convention.[8] Consequently, millions of Democratic voters had no say in who would be their candidate for president. Biden’s inability to put the best interests of the country above his own ambition until the very last moment put Harris and the Democrats in an untenable position.

In late July, Kamala Harris became the Democrats’ presumptive nominee for president without winning any primaries due to the endorsement of one person, President Biden. Instead of distancing herself from a very unpopular president, Harris chose to stick by her man throughout her campaign for president. She couldn’t even bring herself to suggest modifying U.S. arms sales to Israel despite its utter destruction of Gaza and the annihilation of thousands of innocent Palestinian people with U.S. weapons.

In fact, during an interview on ABC’s “The View,” candidate Harris could not name one thing that she would change in the four years of the Biden-Harris Administration.[9] That left Americans believing voting for her would be four more years of the unpopular Biden policies, which contradicted her message that the Harris campaign represented true change. At the same time, she provided no real vision of a future America.[10]

In the minds of a great many Americans, the primary reasons for voting for Harris came down to her support for abortion rights and that she was not Trump. Sadly, that just wasn’t enough for the majority of American voters.

“Trump’s victory is a grim day for the United States and for democracies around the world. You have every right to be appalled, saddened, shocked, and frightened. Soon, however, you should dust yourself off, square your shoulders, and take a deep breath. Americans who care about democracy have work to do.” – Tom Nichols, The Atlantic

“To those feeling despair: I understand. But remember, every step toward progress in American history came after the darkness of defeat. Abolitionists, suffragettes, Dreamers, and marchers for civil rights and marriage equality all faced impossible odds, but they persisted. Now it is our turn to pull up our socks and get back in the fight.” – Sen. Elizabeth Warren

Bruce Berlin, J.D.

Subscribe to this blog at https://breakingbigmoneysgrip.com/my-blog-3/.

[1] https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2023/09/biden-reelection-transition-president/675395/

[2] https://www.coloradopolitics.com/news/pancreatic-biden-82-four-years-president-colorado/article_a133e0fa-63ba-11ee-b04b-735748c6968d.html

[3] https://redfieldandwiltonstrategies.com/joe-biden-administration-approval-ratings-and-hypothetical-voting-intention-19-january-2024/

[4] https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/17IXmmK_CjrhhNnHZJQHhCqgXm8PpEiiv43RcrC4jZXY/edit?gid=1366600926#gid=1366600926

[5] https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/biden-debate-performance-democrats-panic-rcna157279

[6] https://www.reuters.com/world/us/democrats-scramble-limit-damage-after-bidens-wobbly-debate-showing-against-trump-2024-06-28/

[7] https://apnews.com/article/biden-drops-out-2024-election-ddffde72838370032bdcff946cfc2ce6

[8] https://apnews.com/article/biden-drops-out-2024-election-ddffde72838370032bdcff946cfc2ce6

[9] https://www.cnn.com/politics/harris-2024-campaign-biden/index.html

[10] https://www.newsweek.com/what-was-kamala-harris-campaigns-biggest-mistake-strategists-verdicts-1981194

The Struggle for the Soul of America: Just a Few More Days

Posted on November 1, 2024 by Author: Bruce Berlin

Finally! Election Day is almost here. It’s been a long time coming.

Most of the people I’ve talked to recently are scared. They’re worried that the fascist Trump will win, our democracy will be destroyed, and the country will be overrun by a bunch of extreme white nationalists. While that’s a real possibility, agonizing over it won’t do any good. Worrying only causes pain and heartache.

Here’s a better idea: Visualize a Big Blue Wave on Election Day. Think about Harris and Walz in the White House implementing a New Way Forward for all Americans.[1] It will make you feel more positive about our country’s future. And it beats dreading about a second Trump term in the Oval Office by a long shot.

This is not a fantasy game. In truth, a Harris/Walz victory is much more likely than not. A new CNN poll finds Vice President Harris with a 6-point lead over former President Trump in Wisconsin and a 5-point lead in Michigan.[2] In Pennsylvania, they are virtually tied,[3] though a recent UMass poll has Harris up by one percentage point.[4]

Early voting in the Keystone state actually provides evidence of a larger Harris lead. Voters over 65 have cast nearly half of the early ballots there. Registered Democrats account for about 58 percent of votes from seniors compared to only 35 percent for Republicans. In the other Blue Wall states of Michigan and Wisconsin, early Democratic voters over the age of 65 are running 10 to 20 percent ahead of their Republican counterparts.[5]

Other indications of a Harris victory on Tuesday include the gender gap, the enthusiasm gap, and the Never Trump Republican movement. Across battleground states, women account for roughly 55 percent of the early vote, while men are around 45 percent.[6] Additionally, 77 percent of Democrats say they are more enthusiastic than usual about voting compared to 67 percent of Republicans.[7] And, the number of Republicans supporting Harris is growing as well.[8]

New polls out this morning reveal that Harris appears to have a very big lead over Trump among early voters. The vice president has an advantage of between 19 and 29 percentage points ahead of Trump, according to New York Times-Siena College, CNN, and ABC News-Ipsos polls.[9]

But there is still work to be done to ensure a Blue Wave victory. One of the easiest and most important ways you can help Harris and the Dems win is to make calls to swing state voters from the comfort of your own home. Here’s the link to get involved: https://events.democrats.org/event/725393/?ceid=19227312&emci=343d19aa-1c97-ef11-88ce-000d3a98fa6b&emdi=b4482536-8d97-ef11-88ce-000d3a98fa6b.

Remember, taking action is the remedy to relieve your fears and anxiety about the election. Knowing you helped in such a critical endeavor will make a difference in both your feelings and the election returns.

May the Force be with us!

Bruce Berlin, J.D.

A retired public sector ethics attorney, Berlin is a former U.S. Institute of Peace Fellow and the founder and former executive director of The Trinity Forum for International Security and Conflict Resolution. He is also the author of Breaking Big Money’s Grip on America. (See breakingbigmoneysgrip.com.). Contact him at breakingbigmoneysgrip@gmail.com.

Subscribe to this blog at https://breakingbigmoneysgrip.com/my-blog-3/.

[1] https://kamalaharris.com/a-new-way-forward/

[2] https://www.yahoo.com/news/harris-6-point-lead-wisconsin-173428443.html

[3] https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2024/10/30/pennsylvania-2024-trump-harris-polls-race-virtually-tied-in-4-new-surveys-of-vital-battleground-state/

[4] https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/10/31/presidential-election-polls-pennsylvania-michigan-nc/75964694007/

[5] https://www.politico.com/news/2024/10/31/trump-lagging-early-votes-seniors-pennsylvania-00186612

[6] https://www.politico.com/news/2024/10/29/gender-gap-early-voting-00186155

[7] https://www.newsweek.com/democrat-voter-enthusiasm-republicans-double-digits-poll-1978203

[8] https://ncnewsline.com/2024/10/31/republicans-supporting-harris-say-whisper-caucus-could-swing-the-election/

[9] https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/10/31/polls-show-harris-with-big-early-vote-lead-despite-gop-gains/

The Struggle for the Soul of America: Trump is a Grave Threat. Do Something!

Posted on October 24, 2024 by Author: Bruce Berlin

I am very sad. How is it possible that Donald Trump could be elected president of our country? How could 240+ years of American democracy be summarily rejected by the people of the United States in favor of an autocracy ruled by an incompetent, racist, narcissistic fascist?

I still don’t believe it will happen, though I do realize it’s quite possible. Practically all the generals and White House officials who worked with Trump during his first term have strongly stated he is “unfit to be in office”[1] and “a grave threat” to our democracy.[2] I pray that a majority of voters understand this.

Gen. John Kelly, Trump’s longest-serving White House chief of staff, recently said this about his former boss:

“Certainly the former president is in the far-right area, he’s certainly an authoritarian, admires people who are dictators — he has said that. So he certainly falls into the general definition of fascist, for sure.”[3]

Trump’s V.P. Mike Pence asserted this about the former president: “Anyone that puts themselves over the Constitution should never be president …”[4]

And, John Bolton, Trump’s former national security advisor, noted his “short attention span (except on matters of personal advantage) renders coherent foreign policy almost unattainable.”[5]

Our country is now bitterly divided and hate-filled. While Trump may not have initiated this ugly trend, he has clearly brought it to a boiling point.

Fortunately, it’s not too late to stop Trump and his MAGA cult. But we have no time to lose. With less than two weeks until the election, it’s up to all of us to get to work immediately.

If you know anyone who has not yet voted and is on the fence, talk to them. Make clear to them what’s at stake and that every vote counts.

But most Americans have made up their minds about this election. So, voter turnout is critical at this point. We need to get as many people inclined to support Harris and the Dems to the polls as possible. We cannot depend on anyone but ourselves to win this election.

Here’s what you can do:

Volunteer in Santa Fe at https://santafedemocrats.org/volunteer/
Volunteer with the NM Democratic Party at https://www.mobilize.us/nmdemocrats/
Volunteer for the Harris/Walz campaign at https://web.kamalaharris.com/forms/take-action-for-kamala-harris/
Volunteer in Gabe Vasquez’s campaign in NM’s Second Congressional District at https://www.mobilize.us/gabevasquezforcongress/. Gabe is in a tight race and you can help him in Albuquerque.
Connect with 15 voters who don’t always vote at https://www.mobilize.us/gabevasquezforcongress/event/710388/
Help in a battleground state at https://go.kamalaharris.com/resources/battlegroundstateshelp/
Call voters in Swing Districts to win back the House at https://swingleft.org/event/register/mobilize:732212?timeslots=mobilize:5066383&s=u

Even if you think Harris is the lesser of two evils, she is a thousand times better than Trump. Harris will preserve our less-than-perfect democracy and work to make it better. She will try to bring Americans back together.

Michelle Obama explained we cannot afford to sit on our hands at this point. She has implored us to “Do something.”[6] Now go do it!

Bruce Berlin

Subscribe to this blog at https://breakingbigmoneysgrip.com/my-blog-3/.

[1] https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/09/26/opinion/donald-trump-personality-history.html

[2] https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/26/politics/cassidy-hutchinson-jake-tapper-interview-trump-most-grave-threat-cnntv/index.html

[3] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/john-kelly-former-white-house-chief-staff-on-trump/

[4] https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/09/26/opinion/donald-trump-personality-history.html

[5] Ibid.

[6] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Kwra-_8IfI

The Struggle for the Soul of America: Back Home Refreshed and Recharged

Posted on April 2, 2024 by Author: Bruce Berlin

Back home in New Mexico after a month in Panama. It felt like another world there, and for the most part, it was. Above all, my trip gave me the time and space to reflect on the past, more clearly see the present, and imagine future possible directions around the next bend or two. Not just for my future, but for my relationship with my partner Margaret, for the various communities I’m part of, and for our country.

I highly recommend finding the time and space to take such a journey. It was a truly valuable experience for me. And, you don’t have to go all the way to exotic Panama to do it. Just set aside a day or two in a quiet place in your home or somewhere nearby.

The most insightful realization I received on my trip is that I need to slow down. Being in Lago Bay certainly pointed me in the right direction. But given the critical nature of this year’s elections, truly slowing down to a relaxed, simple pace is not likely to happen until I’ve done whatever I can to affect the November results.

There are only seven months until this monumental election. That the outcome of this year’s voting could be the demise of our democratic republic form of government is just, well, hard to believe. If you have any doubts about that, you are not alone. Doubt is good, but we cannot let it stop us from doing whatever we can to ensure that such a calamity does not befall our country.

While many people agree with this assessment, I often hear them say, “I’m only one person. What can I do that will make a difference?” Well, millions of us pulling together can make a huge difference. In the swing states (Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin) where the election will most likely be decided, a relatively small number of votes will put one candidate over the top.

Our phone calls, postcards, door knocking, texts, and emails to undecided and reluctant voters can make all the difference. We don’t want to be saying after Election Day, “If only I had spent one more day campaigning or made 20 more phone calls…” or whatever. Now is the time to resolve to go the extra mile to ensure our democratic republic survives the Trump-led onslaught by the far right.

Personally, I am still weighing my options. I may go work for Biden and the Democrats running for Congress in Arizona or Pennsylvania. And/or sign up for regular phone banking in one or more of the swing states. I just know I don’t want to one day be telling my grandchildren, “I could have done more to save our country from authoritarian rule.” Once I’ve done everything I can to help save our country, then it will be time to really slow down as I approach my 80^th birthday.

Bruce Berlin

A retired, public sector ethics attorney, Berlin is the author of Breaking Big Money’s Grip on America (See breakingbigmoneysgrip.com.), the founder of New Mexicans for Money Out of Politics, a former U.S. Institute of Peace fellow, and the founder and former executive director of The Trinity Forum for International Security and Conflict Resolution. He can be reached at breakingbigmoneysgrip@gmail.com.

Subscribe to this blog at https://breakingbigmoneysgrip.com/my-blog-3/.

The Struggle for the Soul of America: Are You Really Going to Sit on Your Couch and Let Trump Destroy Our Democracy?

Posted on January 4, 2024 by Author: Bruce Berlin

Without a doubt, 2024 promises to be one of the most challenging years in American history as the very survival of our democracy is at stake. The question each of us must ask ourselves is what am I willing to do now to save American democracy?

Donald Trump has clearly stated his authoritarian leanings. His autocratic positions mandate that he must be stopped from regaining the White House or it’s curtains for our democracy. For example:

He intends to be a dictator on day one if he is elected.[1]
He expects to use the federal government to punish critics and imprison opponents should he win a second term.[2]
He plans to create a federal workforce that can be fired by the president at will and must follow his personal whims;[3] and
He wants to pardon people convicted of federal crimes for their involvement in the January 6^th assault on the U.S. Capitol.[4]

Defeating Trump and his autocratic agenda is critical. We cannot wait for Biden and the Democrats to take action. Nor can we count on the courts to find Trump guilty of undermining our democracy. Given Trump’s delaying tactics and the slow-moving legal process, there is at least a fair chance that the courts will not finally settle the ex-president’s legal culpability before November’s election.

It is up to us, the people who still believe in the Constitution, to step up and make sure that voters understand that the survival of our democracy is the central question in this year’s elections.

Will Bunch, Philadelphia Inquirer columnist, put it this way:

My hope for 2024 is that the silent majority of Americans who still believe in freedom will stop wallowing in despair and waiting for the worst. Instead, these voters should rise up from their couches, get organized, and start taking action to save democracy now, and not 10 months and one week from now when it will be too late.

There needs to be an active, pro-democracy movement in the United States that is bigger, more visible, and more determined than the MAGA movement that seeks to destroy it. They should be organizing right now, crafting new messages, posting on TikTok, making themselves known, knocking on doors, registering every voter, and talking to—and listening to—millions of disillusioned young people.

We can enter a new year with high hopes, and not existential dread, but we have to remember that hopes only come true through action.[5]

Now is the time for all of us to take action. Write letters to the editor, register voters, connect with disillusioned youth, campaign door-to-door, attend town halls, primary debates, and political rallies, and talk with friends and neighbors.

We must make democracy the issue. If we don’t stop Trump, our voices and our votes will be crushed, and America will be changed forever. We must organize and act now before it’s too late.

Bruce Berlin

Subscribe to this blog at https://breakingbigmoneysgrip.com/my-blog-3/. Join the movement to revive our democracy. Together we can save the soul of America.

[1] https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/12/trump-says-hell-be-a-dictator-on-day-one/676247/

[2] https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/11/05/trump-revenge-second-term/

[3] https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/11/donald-trump-15-most-dangerous-statements/675970/

[4] Ibid.

[5] https://www.commondreams.org/opinion/save-democracy-in-2024

The Struggle for the Soul of America: Can Trump Be Stopped?

Posted on December 7, 2023 by Author: Bruce Berlin

In a recent Washington Post column, Editor-at-Large Robert Kagan wrote, “Let’s stop the wishful thinking and face the stark reality: There is a clear path to dictatorship in the United States, and it is getting shorter every day….The idea that he (Trump) is unelectable in the general election is nonsense — he is tied or ahead of President Biden in all the latest polls…”[1]

Kagan calculates that Trump will wrap up the Republican nomination three months from now on Super Tuesday. Once that happens, Kagan asserts that Trump will “become far more powerful than he already is” and people will be “falling into line.”[2]

One Republican who will not be “falling into line” is former Wyoming Congresswoman Liz Cheney. She has vowed “to do everything I can to stop Donald Trump,” which may include a third-party run of her own for the presidency next year.[3]

But it’s not just about stopping Trump in Cheney’s view. She wants the Democrats to win the majority in Congress as well in 2024. Cheney believes that a Republican majority presents a ‘threat’ to the nation: “We have to ensure that we don’t have a situation where an election that might be thrown into the House of Representatives is overseen by a Republican majority.”[4]

It is not at all clear that a Cheney third-party run would help prevent Trump from taking the White House. It could boost his chances if her campaign attracted Independents, conservative Democrats, and moderate Republicans who might have otherwise voted for Biden. In fact, any third-party candidacy that draws support from potential Biden voters will actually help Trump.

In addition to Cheney, numerous groups are working to defeat Trump’s campaign for the presidency. In last week’s blog,[5] I recommended joining Indivisible and reading its A Practical Guide to Defeating MAGA.[6] Other groups you might want to join and support are:

1. Protect Democracy (https://www.protectdemocracy.org) is dedicated to defeating the authoritarian threat, building more resilient democratic institutions, and protecting our freedom and liberal democracy.

2. Call To Activism (https://www.calltoactivism.com/) helps Democrats with messaging by defining issues on strong emotional terms that resonate with voters. It strives to stop the GOP from winning arguments and the Democrats from playing defense.

3. The Lincoln Project (lincolnproject.us/) works to protect the American Republic from Donald Trump and those who identify (publicly or privately) as MAGA supporters. It agrees with Trump on only one thing: 2024 is a battle for America’s future.

Finally, there is one other way of stopping Trump. Lawsuits in several states are now seeking to disqualify Trump from running for president under section 3 of the 14^th Amendment. Section 3 disqualifies anyone from holding public office if they have taken an oath to the United States and subsequently “engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same” unless Congress votes to remove that disqualification by a two-thirds vote. In Colorado, the state supreme court just heard arguments on the matter. In Michigan, a state appeals court will soon render a decision. And, in Minnesota, the state supreme court dismissed a similar case for the time being.[7]

In the end, it all comes down to you and me. How much do we care about the future of our country? How much time, energy and money are we each willing to contribute to saving our democracy? We all must pitch in and do whatever we can to defeat the greatest threat to our fragile American Republic since the Civil War. Contact one of the above groups to find out how you can help. Your country needs you now more than ever!

Bruce Berlin

Subscribe to this blog at https://breakingbigmoneysgrip.com/my-blog-3/. Join the movement to revive our democracy. Together we can save the soul of America.

[1] https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/11/30/trump-dictator-2024-election-robert-kagan/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_popns&utm_campaign=wp_opinions_pm

[2] Ibid.

[3] https://www.npr.org/2023/12/05/1217282237/liz-cheney-oath-and-honor-memoir#:~:text=Former%20Wyoming%20representative%20Liz%20Cheney,can%20to%20stop%20Donald%20Trump.%22

[4] https://www.politico.com/news/2023/12/03/liz-cheney-would-rather-see-democrats-win-2024-00129796 / bm

[5] https://breakingbigmoneysgrip.com/my-blog/

[6] https://indivisible.org/sites/default/files/2023-01/20220104_Indivisible_%20A%20Practical%20Guide%20to%20Defeating%20MAGA.pdf

[7] https://www.politico.com/news/2023/12/06/colorado-supreme-court-trump-insurrection-00130271;

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/04/can-trump-be-removed-ballot-insurrection-clause-colorado