We're being screwed because we play by the rules

[Cyrano]

Trump and the Republicans have no rules. They will do whatever it takes to cling to power. They don't give a flying shit about honesty, morality, human decency, or the constitution which is just a meaningless piece of paper to them. And this is why they always seem to have the upper hand.

Martin Luther King said: "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice." That thought is always in my mind. I'm not religious, but for some reason, it seems to me to be a basic truth that is as real as gravity and space/time. And I think that most here on DU also believe in some form of universal justice. It's part of why we play by the rules, It's part of who we are, and it's also why it's so hard for us to battle them on a level playing field.

But ... and there's always a But. If Trump and the fascist party steal this year's presidential election, I truly believe we could see a second American Civil War. But this time, there won't be any geographic boundaries. It will be neighbor against neighbor. It will be horrible and it will be brought about by the pure malevolence that is Trump and the Republican Party. And for us, it will be a case of self defense. A case of good vs evil. A matter of survival.

[leftieNanner]

1. I cannot think about the possibility that The Orange One could win in November

I just don't know if I could handle the possibility of another four - or fourteen - years of this. Truly can't. I have never experienced such constant anxiety in my 67 years.

I would not be surprised to learn that Russia has its tentacles in our election systems, but that could be hindered by VBM. Can't hack a paper ballot. We shall see.

[Cyrano]

3. I think it's impossible for him to win. But he can steal it.

[Runningdawg]

2. With this talk of absolute power vs state's rights he IS setting us up for a Constitutional crisis

I think Trump has accomplished most of the to-do list that be brought with him to the office, except a war. It's not looking good.

[mitch96]

4. You don't bring a hot dish to a knife fight in a phone booth.. HIT BACK AND HARD... nt

[Efilroft Sul]

6. Strike first, strike hard, strike often and make sure they don't get back up.

[mitch96]

10. Just to be clear, I don't condone violence in any way shape or form and when we had all three

branches the last time we squandered the opportunity. Trying to sing kamba ya and hands across the isle was not on the republican agenda... This time if we get all three we should push forward what is best for the American people, not the big corporations. Not the wealthy and not the politically connected.. . At least we would have 2 years to accomplish what took 4 years for the orange shit stain to screw up. YMMV..
m

[Bettie]

7. The fact is that they don't recognize that laws or

rules even exist. They are only there to keep the "other side" in check.

In the weird little world they live in, none of that applies to them at all.

Which is why, when people say "that will NEVER happen" I don't buy it, because so far, they've found ways to do each and every horrific thing that has come into their evil, malicious minds.

I hope for the best, but I expect the worst.

The other thing that this three year slow motion train wreck has shown us is that our system is really fragile and only works if both sides agree that there are rules, that laws are real, and that reality is a thing.

Right now, only one side believes in any of that and they aren't the ones in the White House.

[Pobeka]

8. Parallels to the Spanish Civil war abound.

Media control leading to factions, ultimatelty families choosing sides, siblings on different sides.

[overleft]

11. We must understand that the repugs own the MSM.

[Cyrano]

14. No, no, no. They control Fox and a few minor publications

The major networks, and CNN, and MSNBC don't peddle the shit Trump is selling. And with every passing day they are becoming more aggressive in opposing his lies.

They are the MSM. Don't lump them together with Fox, hate radio and lunatic online sites.

[ecstatic]

9. I was thinking about that the other day.

As much as I hate to say this, if we're ever going to get this country back on track, we're going to have to find our own mcconnell. Not a traitor like MoscowMitch, but someone ruthless and aggressive.

Playing nice is going to land us all in Gilead. It's time to take the gloves off.

[bluestarone]

12. IF they cheat and win in NOV. (only way i see them winning)

Something has to be done! It IS our DUTY to protect OUR great country! ANYWAY that we need too! UNDERGROUND anybody? I will be ready, WILL YOU BE?

[Hotler]

13. So what do we do about it???????

Hopefully something that doesn't require me to get out of my chair and actually give some effort.

[Cyrano]

16. That's a very good question.

Like you, too many people are inclined to sit on the sidelines.

Fascism is today's reality in the halls of power in America. What the current generations do about it remains to be seen. But those who came before me in my family lived through the great depression, WWII, and they helped build a country of magnificent accomplishments and security for most (unfortunately, not all).

Somewhere along the line, the fascists, who were always here, stole our government and all the levers of power. It's time that all of us to act to save our country.

Want to know what to do? All I can tell you is that the first step is to get up our of your chair.

[Runningdawg]

18. 2nd step VOTE and take as many new people with you as possible

[struggle4progress]

15. They'd still try to screw us if we didn't play by the rules

[Cyrano]

17. There's a name for that. It's called war.

Somehow, someway, we must avoid that and defeat them at the same time.