Running on Empty

Even the most dimwitted Democrats should have enough savvy to hang Trump’s dismal economy around the necks of their GOP opponents. How hard can it be to frame the two major issues facing voters: a punishing economy and runaway government corruption? Say it with me, Democrats: Trump’s economy sucks and his corruption is off-the-charts. The majority of Americans are paying the price for this one-two punch. Trump lies about everything, but one thing he’s absolutely correct about is that for Trump and his repulsive family and their cronies, this is the Golden Age, and our country has never in its history seen its like before. No president has ever done corruption like Trump. He’s the Gangster King, I give him that. For the rest of us, things are rocky and getting worse. It’s now obvious to many (it has been obvious to me for 35 years) that the economic arrangement is tilted against us and now coming for our throats: housing, healthcare, childcare, education, food, energy, all becoming out of reach for more and more citizens. And AI coming. And more climate calamities.

Imagine being a Republican congressperson with nothing to run on but Trump’s greed, arrogance and incompetence. The Big Bad Ugly Bill, which slashed taxes for the richest of the rich, and cut basic health coverage for millions. The Epstein files cover-up. The destruction of the White House. The War-of-Choice in Iran. The entire cowardly caucus is complicit in obedience to Trump. On your knees, bitches! With the exception of the late 1960s and early 1970s, I’ve never lived through such insanity. All Republicans have to run on in November is more of the same: more fear of communists, socialists, Haitians, and Cuban bogeymen invading the coast of Florida in rafts and skiffs. More blaming every shitty outcome on Joe Biden. More hatred, incendiary speeches, red meat by the pound. More harmful cuts to already stingy social investments. More money for the Pentagon sinkhole. Will this play with voters? Will they once again lap up the same insipid gruel?

Trump’s economy and corruption. Laser focus, Democrats. For now put all other issues on the back burner. Run endless clips of Trump bragging about how he loves the inflation, and doesn’t care about the well-being of working Americans; play up his child-like obsession with his grotesque ballroom, his arch and the reflecting pool. The ads compose themselves. Even feckless Democrats can’t screw them up, unless they listen to fools like James Carville. When was the last time Carville was involved in a winning campaign? How is Carville even remotely relevant? Because he plays this aw-shucks, I’m just an ol’ country boy one-hit political wizard? Hunter S. Thompson would remind readers that even a blind pig finds an acorn now and then. But to milk the “wise man” role for decades?

Corruption is a hydra.

Though when it comes to Trump, almost every official transaction he presides over is viewed through a specific lens: how does this benefit me, my family and associates? Self-enrichment is the goal of Trump’s corruption. He’s using his office to make money, plain and simple. Theft every day. But corruption also includes the Epstein Files and the efforts of Todd Blanche and little Mikey Johnson to prevent their full, un-redacted release as required by law. Democrats must exploit the fact that the GOP is corruptly protecting pedophiles.

By all means, keep it simple, basic. Here’s what the Trump regime is doing, and here’s how you might experience the consequences in your own life. Did you depend on SNAP, Medicare, the ACA or other kinds of basic assistance and now find yourself ineligible? Is the only hospital in your community closing? Explain, highlight, why this is and who decided.

The fight for climate mitigation should be a priority, but until Democrats have meaningful control of congress, it must take a back seat. The same goes for accountability for the miscreants of the Trump regime, renewed urgency for voting rights, Supreme Court expansion and reform, and community involvement regarding AI data centers. All that must come later. (Democrats should, however, begin drafting bills now on all these topics. Come out the gate like time is limited, because it is, and Republicans will time waste, obstruct, sue and ratfuck every step of the way.) For now, Democrats must get out of their own way and articulate bold ideas about long overdue relief to working Americans, wage earners, young people, seniors; don’t insult us by tinkering around the margins, talk about making the economy work for more than the fortunate few. Show how Trump’s corruption is stealing our present and future. Make the case in plain language.

Encouraging a massive voter turnout is part of the gig. Democrats must encourage, welcome and accept every eligible voter to, first, register, and second, to vote. We don’t have to agree on every issue, but if we can at least agree that too many working people are struggling to live decent, healthy lives, and that Donald Trump’s corruption hurts us all, we have a common cause.

Voter turnout is the whole game. If we-the-people turnout, we win, it’s that simple. Don’t you dare sit this one out.