ArcaMax

The Trump-Musk administration thought they could just stomp on us and our Constitution, replacing democracy with a MAGA monarchy. But they had not reckoned with one fearsome opponent: Sen. Chuck Schumer.

The Senate's top Democrat says he's getting "furious" about the GOP's oligarchic coup attempt. Wow, he might even fire off one of his strongly worded letters to the White House! So far, though, the Democratic "leader" is meekly urging a horrified public to just weather the storm, predicting that, "Trump will screw up."

Hello, Chuck -- history clearly teaches that to fight totalitarianism, you actually have to ... fight.

People are asking: Why the hell is the party's top leadership AWOL? The good news is grassroots people themselves -- the little-d democrats -- have taken to the streets, leading the charge to STOP this plutocratic, autocratic power grab. So, "leaders" ought to at least follow! All Democratic national officials (including former presidents Clinton, Obama and Biden) should come out and stand together, demonstrating solidarity with the majority of Americans fighting this far-right, un-American assault by rampaging billionaires.

Most encouraging is the fact that workaday people -- in red states as well as blue -- are erupting in spontaneous protests and unity actions. Ironically, Don & Elon's self-serving plutocratic thuggery is rallying workers, veterans, schoolchildren, seniors, immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community, main street businesses -- and, well, Americans -- against them! The GOP assault on all of us reveals that we commoners really are in this together, and it will take each of us to defend the Common Good for one and all.

This is Jim Hightower saying to get involved in some of the actions in your area. Check out the resources we've listed at jimhightower.substack.com.

GUESS WHAT? HURRICANES AND WILDFIRES DON'T HAVE POLITICAL PREFERENCES

May I just say that the stupidest, most despicable, most self-defeating political "tactic" in our present hyper-partisan climate is the accusation that victims of today's horrific wildfires, floods and such are getting what they deserve because of their political views.

Start with this month's catastrophic floods in Appalachia. If you've never had a river gushing into your home and town, you can't imagine the destruction, muck, stench, injuries, death and despair. Yet, various numbskulls who profess to be progressive have posted taunts online, chortling that these devastated victims are red-state, small-government Trump voters who don't deserve the government's helping hand in their time of dire need.

Likewise, right-wing MAGA squads, including some GOP congress critters, routinely jeer at wildfire victims in blue states and cities, gloating that hellfire is righteous punishment for "ungodly" people who oppose Trump's "divine mission."

Hello -- this is not politics, it's disgraceful inhumanity. And those who engage in it are skuzz insults to America's democratic ideals of the Common Good.

Happily, though, even as some of our highest officials spew divisive and violent political rhetoric, the ingrained ethic in practically every community is to rush to the aid of anyone and everyone in times of disaster. I saw this up close when Hurricane Harvey slammed Houston in 2017. Washington officials played politics for weeks as the city was drowning -- but hundreds of working people showed up from all over, bringing their small boats and power tools to organize ad hoc rescue teams, not asking anyone their party affiliation.

This is Jim Hightower saying ... That's our truest selves -- and it's why it's essential to squash the malignant ethic of anyone who tries to pervert fundamental humanity into their red-blue morass.

To find out more about Jim Hightower and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators webpage at www.creators.com.

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