this post was submitted on 26 Feb 2026
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I can't tell if you're being serious or not, but do what is an opposition party is supposed to do? If Republicans love to be a thorn on the side despite being the minority in government before, by obstructionism, why can't Democrats do the same despite having the minority?
The only major thing Republicans have been able to do is win minor concessions by threatening to effectively nuke the country. Democrats are not willing to hold the country hostage in the same manner because there are incredible consequences if the bluff is called. (A prolonged government shutdown stops poor people from eating, sick people from getting medical treatment etc. A refusal to lift the debt ceiling would place America in crippling debt and throw the world into a major financial crisis.)
During Biden's term, Republicans looked much stronger because the Supreme court had 6 Conservatives and the Democrats only had 50 seats in the Senate which included Manchin and Sinema. The Democrats have none of that leverage this time.
Democrats are trading long term consequences for short term ones. Prolonged government shut down could do those you mentioned, but since Lemmy love the trolley problem so much, need I remind that those are short term pains compared to enabling fascism to take over later down the line? Because when have fascists ever let go of power? And I'm talking about the state of the US government now, not during Biden's term. Democrats caving in in the previous shutdown doesn't even look genuine. The Democratic politicians who voted with Republicans just so happened that their terms won't be up soon, or are about to retire anyway.
Just look at other countries and the opposition parties do their job as opposition, namely in South Korea and Brazil. They are punishing insurrectionists who tried to subvert democracy. I find that Americans are sedated and still wondering if they are in fascism or not.
These actions don't make fascism less likely though.
Fascism thrives on emergencies and suffering, taking away food and medical from millions would do this effectively.
Even worse, if the Democrats messed with the debt ceiling it would fundamentally cripple any future non fascist government's ability to fix problems.
Good idea, look at South Korea and Brazil. They have been able to do things because the of popular legislation and/or the judiciary, not because a minority party obstructed normal legislation. That's the exact opposite of what you are proposing. What those examples demonstrate is the importance of winning elections, not about causing havoc as the opposition party.
The then South Korean opposition wasn't in power at the time, and yet they spearheaded the impeachment and eventual arrest and prosecution of their previous wannabe dictator, who insurrected a coup to prevent him being impeached. Brazil got lucky that their Brazilian Supreme Court was found to be corrupt and aligned with the previous authoritarian Bolsonaro, which led to the replacement of the judges. The new judges along with the other branches of government and opposition prosecuted Bolsonaro.
Brazil and SK opposition prosecuted their dictators to the fullest authority of their laws. The US? They're spineless. Even after Trump's insurrection and after Biden took power, all the US branches failed to prosecute Trump and the Democrats did not hold him accountable. He regained power as a result.
The truth isn't about who holds the seats, it's whether or not politicians and bureaucrats have the political will. The American population have been conditioned to stick to "decorum", even though the opponent is playing dirty and not playing by the rules. The difference is that Brazil and South Korea experienced dictatorship so they know to call a spade-- a spade. The US, hasn't experienced dictatorship, and to be blunt, after exporting to other nations; and couldn't tell that it's dictatorship after throwing it and returned to the hand that threw.
That and the institutions, but sure. So, why on Earth would you think that the Dems threatening to hurt American citizens will somehow change the political will/calculus?
"Those Dems are holding the government hostage... I should probably reconsider my position on trump!"
Because the long term consequences are far more dire? Chuck Schumer is among the most unpopular politicians for a reason.
Americans has not known what sacrifice means since the US civil war and Second World War.
Like, are you saying Dems holding America hostage will make Republicans realize trump is the actual threat?
I'm not seeing the mechanism from which Democrats inflicting massive pain on American voters somehow removes trump.
What do you see happening?
Edit: a grammar.
What do you mean holding hostage? Republicans, along with breakaway Dems who are convenient scapegoats, had just gutted healthcare and other public services-- which literally disaffects everyone! And this will have generational consequences. How are Democrats holding America hostage when they are complicit?
The only leverage points, as mentioned earlier, are a government shutdown or refusing to move the debt ceiling. Both of which are just "we are willing to inflict massive pain until our demands are met." That's what hostage taking is.
Other than that, the Dems have no political power until they win in the midterms.
These are political complaints. You've moved from "we have to stop fascism" to "I disagree with these policy choices" which is a vastly different arena. I disagree with the policies but more Americans voted for the administration to enact sweeping policy changes, that's democracy even when the results are other than what you wish they were.
If you believe passive electoralism is going to work, there's going to be a rude awakening. Brazil and South Korea had only been more active nipping fascism in the bud because they experienced it first hand and know fascism when they see one. The opposition actively ran on opposing authoritarians. Americans, on the other hand, is yet to experience it directly. I mean, Americans are still splitting hairs about Donald Trump. I believe he will try to undermine the upcoming midterms. If not, he will fight to prevent the presidential elections from happening in 2028.
Fascism doesn't respond to "please" and "thank you".