Death Watch
When is a democracy on a death watch?
The virtual collapse of the Republican party's legislative branch serves as more than fair warning of the gravity of our nation's illness.
Congress has come to a grinding halt thanks to the dictates, the mandates, of one person. Immigration reform went from a near certainty to D.O.A. with but a single pronouncement. Support for Ukraine vanished into thin air, Russia suddenly our partner in strong arming NATO countries to pay their fair share or face Putin's manner of persuasion.
As to the judiciary, Donald Trump, through serendipity and subterfuge, was able to stack the Supreme Court with hand picked choices to bend America's will in his direction. The Dobbs decision his self promoted moment of triumph.
When the arms and legs of this society are cut off, when one person is seen to exert unfettered power and influence over the course this country is headed and all are made to account for their actions to one, what is left of our 250 year experiment?
The will to oppose Mr. Trump has been stripped from those who no longer sit in the House, but in his house. Even the pretense of independent thought and determination abandoned. Guests of Donald Trump summarily dismissed if they demonstrate but the slightest moment of hesitation in following his orders.
When do we perform last rites on a democracy? The day when (if) 45 becomes 47. Until then, our form of government is holding on by a very tenuous fingertip.